Dermot Kennedy to Tour Australia and New Zealand in November 2026
Irish musician Dermot Kennedy has solidified his return to Australia and New Zealand with a string of eight concerts scheduled for November 2026. These shows will showcase his latest album, The Weight Of The Woods, marking his first tour of the region since the MISNEACH Festival in Sydney in 2025.
Following the release of his third studio album in April 2026, Kennedy achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Irish solo artist to debut at number one with his initial three studio albums on the UK charts. This accomplishment underscores his evolution from performing on the streets of Dublin to headlining global arena tours.
His upcoming tour is an extension of his current international circuit, which includes various dates across the UK, Europe, North America, and Canada. Audiences in Australia can catch him at a mix of outdoor amphitheatres and indoor arenas, such as Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and Sydney’s TikTok Entertainment Centre. The New Zealand leg of the tour will follow with performances in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland.
The Weight Of The Woods album is crucial to Kennedy’s music repertoire, building on the success of his previous albums without Fear and Sonder. This new release showcases his signature blend of folk-inspired melodies paired with modern production techniques. Songs like “Honest,” “Funeral,” and “Refuge” highlight Kennedy’s songwriting abilities and musical range.
Kennedy crafted much of the album near his home in rural Ireland, collaborating with Gabe Simon on production. Additional recording sessions in Nashville added depth to the album, drawing inspiration from Irish landscapes and reflecting Kennedy’s heritage and personal experiences in his lyrical content.
Kennedy’s journey in the music industry has been grounded in consistent audience engagement rather than instant viral fame. His early days of busking in Dublin and Boston helped shape his authentic performance style, leading to over four billion streams across various platforms and sold-out shows around the world.
Tracks like “Outnumbered” and “Power Over Me” propelled Kennedy onto international charts, while collaborations like “Paradise” showcased his versatility in electronic music. With Sonder’s release in 2022, Kennedy solidified his status as a top-tier performer, setting the stage for his ongoing success.
His return to Australia signifies a renewed interest in international tours following disruptions in recent years. Promoters are now focusing on artists like Kennedy, with substantial streaming numbers and broad appeal, alongside acts like Niall Horan and Noah Kahan. This shift highlights artists who maintain consistency in their releases and live performances to remain relevant in the industry.
Kennedy’s upcoming tour will be part of a larger global campaign spanning 2026, with confirmed appearances at prestigious venues like London’s O2 Arena and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the US. For Australian fans, the opportunity to experience The Weight Of The Woods live will showcase Kennedy’s music in a dynamic setting, emphasizing his raw vocals and stripped-back arrangements within large-scale productions.
Tickets for the tour will go on sale to the public on Friday, 8 May, giving fans a chance to secure their spots for these highly anticipated shows across Australia and New Zealand.