Noah Kahan Brings Thunderous ‘Stick Season Tour’ To Ascend Amphitheater

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Noah Kahan performing at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. Photo: Tyler Krippaehne

Noah Kahan brought his thunderous fall “Stick Season Tour ’23” to Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater for two nights last week (Oct. 3 and 4).

He opened with his hit track “Northern Attitude” as the setting sun illuminated the skyline behind him. Kahan then played “She Calls Me Back,” a song he re-released with Kacey Musgraves on Friday, Oct. 6.

His brutally honest songs “New Perspective,” “Everywhere, Everything,” “Your Needs, My Needs” and “Growing Sideways” followed as Kahan talked openly about his struggles with mental health, specifically anxiety and depression. He spoked candidly about his growth through therapy, and how his music is a reflection of that.

The crowd during Noah Kahan’s performance at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. Photo: Tyler Krippaehne

“I would look up ‘artists with depression’ because I wanted to know that there was someone else that was successful that felt the way that I did. I found some people but I didn’t find a lot. I want to provide that for somebody out there who’s struggling [and let them] know that you can be up here and be all f*cked up in the head,” he told the crowd

His introspection shifted and he sang about his relationship with others, playing “Paul Revere,” All My Love” and his early release “False Confidence,” which helped to boost his career back in 2019. During Wednesday night (Oct. 4)’s performance  of “Paul Revere,” Kahan was joined on stage by a favorite artist of his, singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov, to the crowd’s utter glee.

With every note, new and old fans alike sang their hearts out to the raw lyrics backed by a New England mountain of sound. Kahan was having fun keeping the crowd on its toes by throwing in new ad libs and blending harmonies with his band.

He reminisced on his teenage years, and his move from New England to Nashville. “I moved down here after high school. I don’t think I ever imagined I’d play Ascend. There’s so many people who discovered me this year and got me here, and I wanna say thank you, guys. To all the new fans, thank you so much.”

Kahan’s “Call Your Mom” was a crowd favorite, especially following its re-release with singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine. “You’re Gonna Go Far” and “Orange Juice” let Kahan and attendees lean into the vulnerable emotions that come with healing as his powerful voice added a somber note to the evening. “Dial Drunk” had the whole audience on its feet from the pit to the back of the lawn as fans belted out the chorus.

“The View Between Villages” served as the beginning of the end of the shows. Even as Kahan prepared to close the set, the energy never waned. Passionate fans let out raucous screams as Kahan played his two encore tracks. With “Stick Season,” Kahan thanked the fans who have supported him, and treated Wednesday’s audience by bringing out Hozier to join on the track.

“I wanna say a special thank you to everyone who’s been riding with me for a long time, for many years, those who’ve stuck by me and listened to me,” Kahan remarked. “I just wanna say I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to repay you for getting me to this place. I’ll never forget it. Thank you so much.”

He closed the evening with everyone on their feet for the high energy track “Homesick.” The fans’ applause was near deafening for the artist as he left the stage. Kahan wrapped his leg of the fall tour in Florida last night (Oct. 10), and will head to Europe for a winter “Stick Season Tour.” Additionally, his “We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour” kicks off its North American leg in March 2024.

Kahan will return to Music City to perform at Bridgestone Arena May 24 and 25. For more information, click here.

Caela Griffin
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