Dermot Kennedy opened up about suddenly finding fame through music (Picture: WireImage)
Dermot Kennedy’s meteoric rise to fame has been no accident, or small feat – it was the result of emotive song-writing and a humble, no nonsense character that charmed first the Emerald Isle, then the world over.
Despite topping charts and smashing arena sales, the man himself admitted his interests lay far from the glitz and glamour of the industry and were rather firmly rooted in music that possessed the power to ‘affect somebody emotionally’.
Now 31 years old, the singer-songwriter from Rathcoole, Dublin catapulted to fame after the success of his 2019 single Outnumbered and has continued to build musical momentum ever since.
From intimate gigs to headlining major festivals across the pond from where he first learnt to play the guitar, he’s seen a thing or two but was adamant about the fact that ‘nothing’s changed drastically in [his] life’.
Ahead of his Sunday headlining slot at East London’s All Points East festival, Dermot exclusively shared with Metro.co.uk how he was navigating life as a star.
The hitmaker explained: ‘Up until now, I’ve found it really good. What I think is that some people want to be famous and I’ve just never been somebody that actively wants to be famous.
The star rose to fame after his 2019 track Outnumbered hit the charts (Picture: Redferns)
He admitted he had no interest in being known as a famous person (Picture: Getty Images)
‘It’s a strange thought to me because the only reason I exist in the public domain is to make music and so luckily I get to do that to really big crowds of people.
‘Luckily when I release music, a lot of people hear it but I’ve never had any desire to be a famous person.
‘Nothing’s changed drastically in my life. I’m still just the same person. It’s just more people care about my music than I had at the beginning. So, it’s all good. Honestly.
‘It’s still pretty crazy to be headlining a festival. It’s this lovely sense of responsibility and just something I’m very proud of.’
Before stepping out to thousands of eager fans packed into Victoria Park, the Don’t Forget Me singer reflected on what it was actually like to create magical moments on stage.
He revealed: ‘It feels like there’s certain things that are beautiful moments for the show and then there’s certain things that just feel beautiful and it’s almost an internal feeling.
‘In that moment, for whatever reason, when I’m playing everything just clicks and it feels like everything just makes sense while you’re up there. That’s a beautiful feeling.’
The singer said he didn’t miss busking on the streets (Picture: Getty Images)
Dermot is headlining at All Points East (Picture: Dermot Kennedy Press)
Dermot commented on an electric moment from his touring shows that saw audience members illuminate stadiums with phone lights while he belted out Rome.
‘I think the thing with getting the crowd to put lights in the air is nice because – as someone who suffers from a fair bit of imposter syndrome and just wondering if anything is going well – it’s the lovely moment where you realise that everybody’s still with you and invested in the show the same way I am.’
On the topic of what’s next, he admitted he was excited to be working on new material from a mindset of only having to ‘think about the music’.
He said: ‘I feel like I’m in a really solid place at the minute in terms of I’ve built this foundation and I’m so lucky and grateful to have a career in music.
‘I’m in a position where I’ve adapted enough to the career side of things that I can make music and only think about the music.
The star shared what it was like to perform in front of a packed out venue (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘I’m not gonna make a song and think about like, “Oh, how will this sound in the stadium? Is this big enough for the shows?”
‘I don’t want to care when I’m making the song, I make the sound purely because the song feels good.
‘I’ve left my career in quite an open place, which is something I’m very happy about. Whatever felt good musically is what I did.’
Sitting in his new found notoriety, the star turned his mind back to the teenager busking on the streets of Dublin and admitted – while he yearned for ‘simplicity’ sometimes – he was grateful to leave the streets behind.
Dermot concluded: ‘I don’t miss playing on the street but I’d miss that time in my life just for its simplicity.
‘There is a beauty to playing on the street because it’s the song and nothing else. There’s nothing else tied up in it. You’re singing a song purely because it makes you feel good.
‘That’s the point that I feel like I’m returning to, that’s why I’m excited about it.’
Dermot Kennedy headlines Luno presents All Points East on Sunday 27 August, visit https://www.allpointseastfestival.com/
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