A few hours prior to his leading performance at the Electric Picnic, Noah Kahan indulges in the festival’s massive Ferris wheel, symbolic of his fast rise to fame. This rapid journey to prominence for the Vermont boy began when his poignant ballad Stick Season went viral on TikTok. Such a speedy rise is impressive for any artist, but it begs the question–is Kahan prepared to be the main act at a festival such as Electric Picnic?
Clothed in a green suit, Kahan takes the stage, confessing his amazement, to stand as the festival’s headliner. He expresses uncertainty about whether he’s truly earned this distinction, but nonetheless, he remains deeply touched to have been chosen. The credit for his skill, he asserts, came from Irish singer-songwriters who are wonderfully melancholic, according to him.
At the mere age of 27, Kahan’s rise to fame admittedly was boosted by social media, yet his work serves as a soothing balm to the relentless pace of our modern, always-online era. With roots in rural Vermont, Kahan’s anguished ballads reflect the unique sorrows of small-town life. His opening tune, Dial Drunk, echoes back to his rebellious youth marked by a drunken driving arrest.
Kahan can count Hozier among his collaborators. They share a similar sensibility and commitment to the virtues of abundant facial hair. And while Kahan’s musical tone echoes the stylings of Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons, do not be deterred. Kahan’s lyrics are both revealing and brave, tackling distressing issues such as self-harm. He bears the rare ability to voice the spiritual anguish men face without degenerating into rambling internet commentary.
Noah Kahan’s confession “I got all my tricks from Irish singer-songwriters. You guys are sad as f**k” rings throughout his performance at Electric Picnic 2024.
“Sampa the Great claims: ‘For once, there’s no pressure to incorporate more English. I can simply express myself in my own language’. The central query remains whether a song about the struggles of rural American life by a country crooner can provide enough excitement to headline the first day of Electric Picnic. Kahan, demonstrating a blend of sincere modesty and a talent for embedding compelling choruses into his melancholic tunes, admirably rises to the occasion.
His finale, ‘Stick Season’, is a melody he acknowledges people might be tired of due to its frequent airplay. Nevertheless, judging by the eagerness of the festival-goers flocking forward, it seems they are far from tired of ‘Stick Season’. Anticipation builds for the main stage shows set to take place throughout the weekend. (No pressure intended, Kylie, yet it appears the festival dates have been shifted particularly for you.) Thus, as a tantalising taste of the revelry to follow, Kahan’s triumphant performance certainly warrants commendation.”