Grammy-nominated duo The Milk Carton Kids were among the multitude of hosts at the Americana Music Awards in Nashville on September 20th. In addition to their co-hosting duties, the duo took the stage alongside Noah Kahan for a cover of Paul Simon’s “American Tune.”
Formed in 2011, The Milk Carton Kids are an American folk duo hailing from California. Nominated for Best Folk Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards, the group’s new record I Only See The Moon released this past May on LA-based ANTI- Records.
Noah Kahan, the New-England native singer-songwriter, rose to global fame with the release of his third full-length album, Stick Season. Taking the stage with The Milk Carton Kids, he and the duo offered smooth vocals against a lone acoustic guitar.
The Milk Carton Kids are set to embark on a US tour this fall, stopping at Kingston’s Broadway Theatre at UPAC, as well as New York City’s Beacon Theatre. Both New York dates will be in support of fellow folk artist Gregory Alan Isakov.
The Milk Carton Kids Upcoming Tour Dates
October 8—Los Angeles, CA—Los Angeles Folk Festival
October 10—San Francisco, CA—The Independent*
October 12—Portland, OR—Aladdin Theater*
October 13—Seattle, WA—St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral*
Noah Kahan triumphantly returned to Central New York on Friday for a sold-out performance at Lakeview Amphitheater. It was Kahan’s second sell-out concert in Syracuse this summer, having previously played Beak and Skiff in June. Ruston Kelly opened the show.
Noah Kahan performs at Lakeview Amphitheater
Few in the music industry have seen the rise to success quite like Noah Kahan. The 26 year-old singer-songwriter has seen his popularity explode in recent months, selling out nearly every venue in his path. His successes are never more evident than in Central New York. Less than two years ago, Kahan performed at The Westcott Theater in Syracuse. Three months ago, he performed a sold-out concert at Beak and Skiff, and now, he has again returned with a sold-out performance at the much larger Lakeview Amphitheater.
Noah Kahan performs at Lakeview Amphitheater
As 8pm hit, opening act Ruston Kelly took the stage with his bandmates. The Nashville based singer-songwriter kicked his set off with “Cover My Tracks,” the opening number on his 2018 release Dying Star. The song was a good preview of what was to come during the 45 minute set. Kelly delivered a stream of well-written moderate tempo Americana style tracks, with Kelly showing that he excelled at telling a story while delivering his heart-felt lyrics.
Kelly showcased his ability to hype the crowd as well, performing two well-placed covers during his set. Early on, Kelly led the crowd in his rendition of Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag” which had fans young and old singing along to the familiar chorus. Later in his set, Kelly delivered the Taylor Swift cover “All Too Well,” which had nearly everyone in attendance on their feet and singing along. Kelly would close out his set with “The Weakness,” the opening track on his latest release of the same name. The slow moving track would build in intensity until reaching an impressive crescendo.
Ruston Kelly performs at Lakeview Amphitheater
As the final stage preparations wrapped up between sets, anticipation through out the concert grounds kept building, with palpable anticipation for Noah Kahan’s arrival. Finally, just after 9:20, the house lights went dark and the four members of Kahan’s band took the stage. After a brief instrumental introduction, Kahan strutted to the front of the stage. With a wave and a smile, and a deafening roar from the crowd, the band launched into the high energy “Northern Attitude,” the lead track on Kahan’s 2022 release Stick Season. The opening song served as a preview for what was to transpire over the next 95 minutes. Nearly everyone in attendance sang along, in deafening fashion, to nearly every word. Kahan kept the energy flowing early, moving into “She Calls Me Back,” and “New Perspectives.”
Noah Kahan performs at Lakeview Amphitheater
Early in the set, it was clear Kahan could not contain his excitement. He urged the stage workers to turn on the house lights, so he could catch a glimpse of the crowd in front of him. “This is the largest show we’ve ever played, thank you all so much,” Kahan proclaimed, giddy with excitement. He took turns dancing with his band mates early in the set, skipping across the stage and jumping from the drum riser.
Noah Kahan performs at Lakeview Amphitheater
Through out the evening Kahan’s energy would give way to more serious subject matter. The singer-songwriter spoke of loneliness and isolation at times, and urged those in attendance to seek help when needed. He sang of his journey through therapy on “Growing Sideways,” and sang of a close friend’s similar struggles on “Call Your Mom,” a track Kahan himself said is often too emotional for him to perform live. Through the heavy subject matter, Kahan would lead his listeners back to more up-tempo sing-along tracks, at times urging their participation, to which the crowd feverishly obliged. After a brief encore break, Kahan and his bandmates would close out the evening with three more songs, including perhaps his biggest hit to date, “Stick Season.” It provided those in attendance one final opportunity to showcase their voices, and they too did not disappoint.
A picturesque late spring afternoon yielded way to a beautiful evening of music at Beak and Skiff, in Lafayette on Saturday, as Noah Kahan brought his Stick Season tour to the apple orchard. With the tour lauded as one of the summer’s hottest tickets, the event sold-out well in advance of the show.
Kahan, a native of Strafford, Vermont, is known for his blending of folk-rock and pop music. His first full length studio album, Busyhead, was released in 2019. But it was during the Covid pandemic when Kahan’s popularity began to really soar. He first released the Cape Elizabeth EP in April of 2020. Following its release, and during the height of the pandemic, Kahan would retreat home to Vermont and write his most successful album to date, Northern Attitude (2022). The album, which leans heavily on themes of mental illness, struggling with substance abuse, feeling homesick, and childhood nostalgia, has earned Kahan much critical acclaim and a devoted fan base all across the age spectrum.
The evening kicked off with a set by Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners. The folk-rock band from Montana was joining Kahan for a special, one-off concert. The four-piece band delighted early arriving concert goers with a forty five minute set of folk-rock jams.
During the stage change-over between sets, excitement in the concert field was at a high. Fans packed the area in front of the stage, and shouted the singer’s name. Each crew member received a small roar from the crowd as they made their way across the stage, placing set-lists and water bottles. Finally the house lights dimmed, and the band took to the stage. After a brief instrumental piece, Noah Kahan took to the stage with a mandolin and launched into the crowd favorite “All My Love”. The audience exploded with excitement, and sang along to every word. Impressively, the singing did not stop after the first song. The majority of the crowd sang along, every word, to every song. Kahan kept the energy running for the first portion of the set, playing tracks “Everywhere, Everything,” and “She Calls Me Back”.
As the setlist moved on, Kahan would touch on heavier subject matters. Kahan, a staunch advocate of mental health awareness, would sing openly about his own struggles with mental illness on many songs. He sang in loving memory for a friend who passed too soon, on “Carlo’s Song”. During this song the concert field would glow in a sea of green (for mental health awareness) as fans held lights up from their cellphones. Noah Kahan would sing of substance abuse and finding sobriety on the track “Orange Juice.” Perhaps the most power full moment of the night would be when Kahan returned for an encore. He would open the three song encore with “The View Between Villages”, a reflective and nostalgic track written about an emotional return to Kahan’s childhood home town many years later. The song would build with emotion until its epic climax, and the audience did not miss a beat, singing along to every word. Kahan would finish the night with crowd favorites “Stick Season” and “Mess”.
If you missed out on this performance, you are in luck. Kahan has already scheduled a return visit to Syracuse, at the Lakeview Amphitheater on September 1.
Popular folk artist Noah Kahan began his Stick Season tour for a sold out crowd at Artpark on May 26. This tour is celebrating Noah’s third studio album Stick Season which was released at the end of 2022.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Opener Joy Oladokun kicked off the night with her mix of R&B, folk, and rock tunes. Her influences as a queer woman of color has given her powerful lyrics and connective albums a new meaning. Joy converted new fans that night as she spent her set connecting and singing with people about mental health.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Noah later took the stage with his whimsical visuals and groovy band members. The group first played the popular hit “All My Love” which immediately had fans hyped up. Despite this being the Stick Season tour he brought back his roots when playing classics off his old EP Cape Elizabeth. These included “Glue Myself Shut,” and “Maine.”
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Addressing Mental Health
Noah is no stranger to mental health issues. In fact he not only writes about it in his songs but even discusses it on stage with countless people listening. That night at Artpark he talked with everyone how important therapy is and being okay with asking for help. Noah helps break the stigmatization around metal health issues and alcohol abuse. After his heavy hitting speech he sang “Growing Sideways” which examines the distraught feeling of being stuck.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The artist took a moment on stage to play some acoustic songs which brought an ease over the crowd. Fans really became excited though when Noah played several tracks off his unreleased deluxe edition of Stick Season including “No Complaints” and “Dial Drunk.”
This night was special for Noah Kahan considering it was the first time he was playing certain songs live and the start of a tour that is about to sweep the nation. His music discography has already left a mark on the internet space but his live show is what will make people coming back for more.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Artpark’s Summer concert series is a must see for both the music and the environment. Make sure to check out upcoming shows here. Young The Giant is coming June 13 and Michael Franti & Spearhead perform June 21.
Setlist: All My Love, Everywhere Everything, She Calls Me Back, False Confidence, New Perspective, No Complaints, Glue Myself Shut, Growing Sideways, Maine, Northern Attitude, Dial Drunk, Carlo’s Song, You’re Gonna Go Far, Orange Juice, Homesick, The View Between Villages, Stick Season, Mess
