Dermot Kennedy at All Points East: Setlist and review of ‘heartfelt and passionate’ show

Sunday at All Points East festival in Victoria Park was packed with what felt like every Irish person living in London, all coming to see one man: Dermot Kennedy.

After a rain filled weekend, the sun finally shone in east London for the Irish artist’s headline show.

Kennedy followed Stormzy, Field Day and The Strokes in headlining this year’s All Points East leading a day supported by Olivia Dean, James Vincent McMorrow, Chromeo, amongst other artists.

Kennedy first performed at the festival in 2019 supporting Mumford and Sons. This year he took the helm accompanied by a string section and the London Community Gospel Choir.

Having recently released his new album, Sonder, Kennedy performed a mix of new tracks and classics that touched on themes of love, loss, and hope.

Storytelling is rooted deep in Irish culture and the 31-year-old interweaved a number of uplifting and affirming anecdotes into his set.

“If you take one thing from this music, it’s to cherish the people who care about you,” he told the raptured audience.

The Irish singer knows his fans well and delivered a number of crowd pleasing favourites early on including ‘Power Over Me’ and ‘An Evening I Will Not Forget’.

He then gave a stunning solo piano performance of ‘Rome’, in which he asked the audience to “ignore everyone around them” and to focus on a memory saying “the right memory at the right time can change everything.”

It was incredible to witness the power of his voice fill the east London park and his ease with a crowd of thousands.

Kennedy shows a lot of care and empathy to his audience and half way through his set he calls for attention for a member he spots struggling.

His gentleness and compassion flow through his music and its those qualities amongst his astounding musical talent that make him such a compelling performer.

Other popular hits he delivered included ‘Outnumbered’ and ‘Better Days’ to the delight of the crowd.

The choral and string accompaniment made the performances even more powerful and special, showcasing a diverse range of talents.

Declaring the performance “a dream” show, phone torches were held aloft for ‘After Rain’, creating a sea of light under a full moon.

He finishes his set with ‘Something to Someone’, which celebrates love and being loved in return.

Love and kindness emulated through Kennedy’s performance, which created a beautiful community atmosphere at Victoria Park.

In a world with so much hardship and pain, Sunday at All Points East was a perfect celebration of humanity and love.

Dermot Kennedy setlist at All Points East, Victoria Park

• Blossom
• Power Over Me
• An Evening I Will Not Forget
• Lost
• Young and Free
• Glory
• Rome (piano solo)
• Innocence and Sadness
• Outnumbered
• After Rain
• Without Fear
• Better Days
• Don’t Forget Me
• I’m All Yours
• Kiss Me
• Something to Someone