Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy has officially released his third studio album, The Weight of the Woods, via Island Records. Recorded largely in a studio near his home in rural Ireland alongside collaborator Gabe Simon (who has worked with the likes of Noah Kahan and Lana Del Rey), the record is being described as his most self-assured work yet.
Kennedy has stripped back the production layers this time around, letting his massive voice take centre stage. Drawing inspiration from the forest behind his house, the album blends traditional folk textures with a bit of country authenticity. “To me, the album is a beautiful homegrown thing with Irish instruments and an Irish story,” says Dermot. “I’ve entertained the idea of living somewhere else, but I don’t think I’d be happy anywhere else”.
The release follows his successful Misneach festival, which sold out dates in Sydney and Boston last month. It also lands just as he prepares for a massive summer tour, which includes a string of UK arena dates and two huge headline shows at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in July.
Before the big rooms, Kennedy has been busy sharing new visuals, including a choral performance of “The Weight of the Woods (Reprise)” and a visualiser for the track “Turnstile”. You can also catch his performance of the lead single “Funeral” on the iPlayer now.
UK Headline Tour Dates 2026:
- 29th May – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
- 30th May – Manchester, AO Arena
- 1st June – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
- 2nd June – Leeds, First Direct Arena
- 4th June – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
- 5th June – London, The O2
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Header image by Silken Weinberg
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