Noah Kahan, Gen Z’s troubadour, rouses his faithful at the Hollywood Bowl

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As a movie reviewer with a background in folk music, I was utterly captivated by Noah Kahan’s electrifying performance at the Hollywood Bowl last Thursday night. Having grown up listening to the raw sincerity of artists like Mumford & Sons and Conor Oberst, I could instantly relate to the authentic emotion that filled the air as Kahan delivered his heartfelt lyrics to an enraptured crowd.

At concerts, there’s shouting and cheering. But the commotion made by the youthful audience during Noah Kahan’s performance at the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday exceeded the ordinary level of noise.

In the quiet corner of Vermont, resides Kahan, a 27-year-old folk singer who’s touched a nerve among Gen Z TikTok romantics. His heartfelt lyrics echoed back at him with an intensity that felt raw and real – akin to the emotional release experienced during the most passionate scenes of “Eras.” Even in the quieter moments, the response was palpable, evoking a sense of catharsis rarely witnessed since Bernie Sanders’ political rallies.

When listening to Kahan’s LP “Stick Season,” released in 2022 and earning him a Grammy nomination for best new artist, you might be taken aback by its understated charm. This cozy, knitted album is rich with intricate fingerpicking and vivid lyrics that reflect his personal experiences and the autumnal scenery of his hometown. At the Bowl performance, Kahan recreated his childhood living room on stage.

Approximately every few years, a singer-songwriter emerges who captivates young audiences and outshines current chart-toppers with their heartfelt songs. In this case, it’s Kahan’s turn to achieve this breakthrough.

Kahan, a bearded singer-songwriter known for his candidness and an adorable dog featured in his album art, as well as the Busyhead Project, a mental health charity, joined Republic Records in 2017. Despite releasing two LPs that failed to resonate with a broad audience, he cleverly utilized TikTok towards the end of 2020 to share preliminary versions of his single “Stick Season.” This song effectively captured the melancholic feelings of going back to campus during a challenging time (“I’m afraid of the weather because I see you when it rains / The doctor advised me to travel, but there are COVID cases on the planes.”)

As a passionate cinema-goer and music lover, I was thoroughly captivated when Noah Kahan’s debut single “No. 9” dropped in 2022, reaching the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. His album followed closely behind, climbing up to No. 2 on the Hot 200. The momentum surrounding his music continued to build, leading to a much-anticipated expanded edition released in February.

Noah Kahan was brutally sincere in his music, yet self-effacing about his status as a new pop star, during his Hollywood Bowl performance Thursday.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

He’s jokingly criticized for bringing back the “stomp-clap” indie-folk style reminiscent of Mumford & Sons during the 2010s. However, this label is not quite accurate as country music has infused and influenced various genres extensively. At the Bowl on Thursday, a vast crowd of young fans discovered their own contemporary version of American roots music.

“The opening track ‘Dial Drunk’ creates an engaging drunk tank ballad that resonates with a generation choosing to abstain from alcohol. Kahan crafted an impressive backstory for himself and his hometown, reminiscent of Springsteen’s storytelling.”

With his distinctive Willie Nelson braids and charmingly gloomy demeanor during banter (“Raise your hands if you’ve been through a divorce. Say ‘I miss my old place and it feels strange.'”), Kahan honestly expressed himself through music. However, he remained humble about his newfound pop stardom.

He can perform a song similar to “Forever,” expressing his desire to explore the depths of your soul that he hasn’t reached yet. Then, in a lighthearted manner, he might quip, “I guess I’m turning into a pushy youth pastor. You know, like ‘Jesus is right here.'”

The distinctive elements of Kahan’s art – bare trees, homes tainted with past traumas, and winter’s chill soaked through by alcohol – are what truly captivates his devoted fans. A New England icon transformed into a Western archetype on “Paul Revere,” while in “Come Over,” he explored the place that shaped him into who he is – “my house looked like it was weeping / When people talk about the sad kid on Balch Street / You won’t need to guess who they’re referring to.”

In my perspective as a moviegoer, this musician is surprisingly talented hidden beneath his exterior. He showcased an impressive falsetto on “You’re Gonna Go Far,” and his raw emotion shone through on the haunting “The Great Divide.” He bravely tackled more mature themes in “Orange Juice,” where the shame of starting over soberly was palpable. The details added weight to the situation – “There’s orange juice in the kitchen, bought for the kids / It’s yours if you want it, we’re just glad you could visit.”

Kahan has reached an age where he yearns for recognition in the world of songwriting, yet remains somewhat tethered to the emotional turmoil of his college years that brought him initial fame.

In simpler terms, Kahan effectively expressed the timeless nature of holding grudges against one’s parents for their own past traumas. However, his decision to perform this deeply personal song in front of a mic amidst the audience was remarkably astute. Many individuals in that psychologically-sound crowd could relate, and Kahan skillfully tapped into their shared experiences.

Currently, Noah Kahan is exploring an intriguing mix of country music resurgence, TikTok’s songwriting prowess, and a passionate fan base. His Thursday performance showcased why he’s on this journey – his skills are finely tuned, and he has a deep understanding of his art. He strikes a balance between the intricate storytelling of Taylor Swift and Conor Oberst’s somber introspection. While it may not be timeless yet, Noah Kahan as a bona fide pop star today is certainly worth celebrating.

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2024-07-18 21:13