A gorgeous evening at the Gorge with Noah Kahan
Noah Kahan performs to a sold out crowd of over 20,000 people at The Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA. (Provided photo/Noah Kahan)
Adoring concert Noah Kahan fans watching the 27-year-old perform on stage. (Provided photo/Noah Kahan)
Noah Kahan performs at The Gorge in Washington State (Provided photo/Noah Kahan)
Noah Kahan brought the “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour to The Gorge Amphitheater this past weekend. With the sprawling basalt cliffs overlooking the Columbia river, it was the perfect setting for an evening of listening and singing along to his nostalgic sound. Before the show, people flooded through the gates, making their way to different activities the venue had set up. From making friendship bracelets, to early access merch shopping, and even signing a poster that would later be given to Noah, there was something for everyone to do. Girls in overalls with their hair braided and boys in muted colors dotted the hillside, and anticipation began as soon as you entered the venue grounds.
From the moments before he even stepped on stage, the energy in the air was electric. Nearly 27,000 people gathered there, in the middle of nowhere in eastern Washington, united by the music and lyrics of Noah Kahan. As the folk-pop singer and his band began to play, the entire venue was filled with the voices of everyone in the crowd singing along to “Dial Drunk.” From the looks of it, he was having just as much fun on the stage as everyone in the crowd was watching him perform it. After the song had finished, he paused for a moment, taking in the sea of people in front of him. With tears in his eyes, he expressed how nervous he was to play here, and that he loved how everyone knew all the words.
The setlist included many songs off of his newest album, Stick Season (Forever), as well as a few older songs, which everyone was equally excited about. One of the older songs played was “False Confidence” off of his 2019 album entitled Busy Head. After playing this song he talked about how it was about imposter syndrome, and as everyone clapped for him, it felt like there was someone standing behind him that we were actually cheering for. He expressed that even though we were in a place so far from his actual home, he still felt at home here with all of us. He also took time to say that it was not lost on him that the fans and their support have carried him through the past 2 years of touring the album, and that he always wanted to perform his song “Everywhere, Everything” in a place like this.
Halfway through the show, he and his band sat down for an acoustic performance, filled with rich harmonies and earnest expressions. The band meshed incredibly together, and the entire performance from start to finish was in sync at every strum of the guitar and every beat of the drums. Noah introduced every member and gave each one a shoutout, making sure they all got the credit they deserved for what they bring to the band. The joy of everyone on the stage was infectious, and you could feel every ounce of it from the crowd.
During an intermission from the main stage, Noah Kahan took to the sound booth, stating that he wanted to be as close to us as possible. He played an intimate 3 song set, which included “Growing Sideways,” “Pain Is Cold Water,” and “Maine.” People in the crowd stood on their chairs, embraced one another, and let the tears flow as the words echoed throughout the valleys of the Columbia River. Noah took time to interact with the crowd as well, putting up heart signs, and reading the posters out loud. One of the posters that caught his attention read “My ex-boyfriend broke up with me over text,” which prompted him to bring the poster up on stage so he could sign it. During his hit “Norther Attitude,” bubbles exploded from the stage, causing it to look as if snow was falling from the sky. As the lights illuminated them as they fell, and the lyrics rang through the air, it felt as if you were a part of the song in the most tangible way possible.
The show seemed to end with the classic closer “Stick Season,” but after it was finished Noah stayed up on the stage, making a special announcement. That day, “Stick Season” had reached 1 billion streams, and he wanted to play us the first song he had ever released, called “Young Blood.” He said that this song was a reminder to him of what it felt like to be alone. Emotions were high, and the song was the perfect ending to a perfect evening. Even in a sea of people, Noah Kahan and his music managed to make you feel seen and at home with strangers in a crowd. The genuine love for his music felt palpable, and never once dissipated throughout the entire day. You can catch Noah Kahan on his “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour through the end of July.