Dermot Kennedy performs four gigs in two nights and busks for charity

Virgin Radio

22 Dec 2021, 14:56

The Irish singer-songwriter has had a busy festive period so far, performing shows on both sides of the Atlantic, and all for good causes. 

Following on from the success of his recent single, Better Days, Dermot Kennedy played some massive hometown shows at Dublin's 3Arena. The musician performed four gigs over two nights!

On Twitter on December 13th, he told fans: “It’s my birthday today!! And I’m lucky enough to be playing 4 arena shows in my hometown. 2 tonight and 2 tomorrow night!! Thank you for your patience while we’ve put these gigs together. It hasn’t been easy, and a lot of people have worked very hard to make sure they happen.”

Explaining exactly how he was going to manage two gigs in one night, and then do the whole thing again the following evening, he said: “Each show is going to be just over an hour so the venue has time to turn around for the next show. And so my vocal cords don’t die forever. See you soon. I love you, and I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday.”

And it’s not like the musician had a nice rest in the build-up to this epic effort. Just a couple of days beforehand, he jetted off to New York, where he busked an amazing set on the streets. 

The event took place in Washington Square, where attendees were invited to BYOI (Bring Your Own Instrument) 

Clash Music reports that the singer’s efforts managed to raise more than $300,000 for charity, which will be split between causes such as Pieta House, Focus Ireland and MusiCares.

When speaking about the busking gig on social media, Dermot wrote that it was “one of my favourite things I’ve ever done in my life. Thank you so much for today. It was a really beautiful energy."

He added that the event marked his "first time playing in the street in about 8 years. It was never like this though. New York you have my heart, do look after it for me.”