Stick Season in July: Noah Kahan Enchants Hyde Park
As you step out of Marble Arch station and into London’s beautiful, blazing sunlight, there’s a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. It’s a sea of colourful cowboy hats, smiling faces, and sun-soaked skin. As the flowing masses sweep into the park, it’s remarkable to consider the meteoric rise of the man they’re all here to see. Vermont’s native son, Noah Kahan, is bringing his Northern Attitude to town, and London is more than ready for it.
Perhaps it’s unfair to split Kahan’s career into two halves, one before the world shut down, and one after it reopened, but it’s hard to ignore the turning point. His superb use of TikTok during the pandemic gave him a platform most artists could only dream of. While the world stood still, Kahan found momentum. So by the time Stick Season arrived in 2022, it had already gone viral, teased and leaked in bite-sized snippets, capturing the hearts and minds of millions before the full album even dropped. Since then, he has been riding a never-ending wave of success, blossoming from a cult favourite into a global name, all while staying rooted in the raw, vulnerable storytelling that first drew fans in.
Before we get to Vermont’s favoured son, though, there are support acts, along with some interminable stage turnover times, to get through. First up is FINNEAS, best known for his production work with his younger sister, Billie Eilish, as well as credits with the likes of Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Nicki Minaj, and Demi Lovato.
There’s no questioning the multi-award-winning résumé, nor the songwriting prowess. However, today’s set falls slightly short. The band seems to grapple with sound issues, and unfortunately, it shows. Even a surprise appearance by Ashe, timed to announce their new band, The Favors, can’t fully lift the mood. The duo channel a modern-day Fleetwood Mac, with lush, blended harmonies that momentarily breathe life into the crowd, if only for a little while.
The impossibly earnest Gracie Abrams fares far better. Still fresh off an AMA (American Music Awards) win for New Artist of the Year, and with high-profile support slots for Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift under her belt, she delivers a set that’s both accomplished and polished. Thankfully, the improved sound plays to her strengths, allowing the clarity and emotion of her songwriting to shine through. She also springs her own surprise appearance, with Aaron Dessner of The National joining her for three songs, including an acoustic version ‘I Love you, I’m Sorry’ and ‘Where Do We Go Now?’ with the rest of the band.
In truth, though, tonight is all about one man. Dressed head to toe in blue and grinning from ear to ear, the headliner strolls casually onstage, taking a moment to survey the sea of faces before launching into All My Love. There’s something irresistibly likeable about Kahan, a slightly manic, excitable energy that radiates from him. “This is a song about making the people you love feel like shit,” he says before one track, with that same wide grin still plastered across his face. He’s charming, self-deprecating, and deeply self-aware. There’s no doubt that Kahan’s deeply personal lyrics strike a chord with his fans. A glance around the crowd reveals friends and family alike, shouting along with every word, or dancing in circles. For some, it’s a vibrant family affair; for others, an emotional bloodletting. Either way, the connection is undeniable. It’s a beautiful sight to behold, and such an impressive balance to hold. Deeply sad and troubled lyrics set over beautifully uplifting Americana and the conductor of it all, caresses the audience in the palm of his hand. Gently chiding, warm and inviting, whilst all the while clearly trying to wrestle with the enormity of the grand stage he now commands. It wasn’t so long ago that he was playing to a room of 77 people. Today saw him standing in front of tens of thousands.
The set leans heavily on ‘Stick Season’, with Everywhere, Everything (featuring a quick guest appearance from Gracie Abrams), along with Orange Juice, New Perspective and the lesser heard Strawberry Wine, (touchingly dedicated to Kahan’s grandpa). Fans are treated to the unreleased Deny, Deny, Deny, as well as False Confidence from 2019’s Busyhead. At times, Kahan’s nervous energy bubbles over in endearing ways, like when he pauses mid-set to muse aloud, “What is that? Is that a haunted house?… I don’t like it.” It was, in fact, worse than that, Noah, it was the American Express Pavilion.
As night descends over Hyde Park, Kahan and his band hit their full stride. Dial Drunk, a monstrous hit all by itself, erupts across the crowd, who scream back every word with feral intensity. Now fully settled into the spotlight, he proves himself not only a consummate frontman but a powerhouse vocalist. His voice soars, raw and commanding, while the band behind him is as tight and dialled-in as it gets. It’s an impressive sight and a gorgeous sound.
If there’s a downside to these modern-day, one-off festivals, it’s the often sanitised, overly corporate setting they unfold in. But Kahan, earnest, electric, and utterly human, injects soul back into the experience with ease. In a space that can sometimes feel sterile, he offers something real: connection, catharsis, and a night to remember.
And just when it seems the night can’t climb any higher, Kahan saves his very best for last. Returning for the encore, now sporting a Chelsea Football Club shirt, reveals one final surprise. Joining the Vermont native for a soaring rendition of Northern Attitude is none other than Lewis Capaldi, fresh from his long-awaited return at Glastonbury. It’s a moment of pure magic, the kind that lingers long after the lights go down.
The show closes, fittingly, with Stick Season. As fireworks erupt overhead and the crowd savours the last flickers of magic from the stage, Kahan, ever expressive, takes a quiet moment to soak it all in. It’s been a spectacular three years for him, a testament to how swiftly life can turn. From his mother driving him to shows, playing to no one or to those who didn’t care. To the brink of walking away from it all to a level of success few can fathom, Kahan now stands at the edge of something even greater. Where he goes from here is entirely his to decide.
To find out more about BST Hyde Park and for tickets to this years shows, visit the official website.
Photo of Noah Kahan at BST Hyde Park 2025 by Sophia J Carey
