Dermot Kennedy has announced his new album, The Weight of the Woods.
The follow-up to 2022’s Sonder was mostly written and recorded close to his home in rural Ireland with longtime collaborator Gabe Simon, known for his work with Noah Kahan and Lana Del Rey.
The pair also spent time working on the project in Nashville.
Across its 14 tracks, Dermot draws heavily on the landscape and atmosphere of his home country, calling the album “a beautiful homegrown thing with Irish instruments and an Irish story.”
Kennedy says the forest behind his house played a key role in shaping the album’s tone.
He said: “It’s a peaceful place where I can escape.”
Dermot admitted: “I don’t think I’d be happy anywhere else.”
The lead single, Funeral, has arrived today (22.01.26), along with the official music video starring Charlie Rowe and directed by Charlie Sarsfield.
The Giants singer has taken a more direct approach to both songwriting and production this time, aiming to put his voice at the centre of the record.
He said: “If I get up in a pub with just a guitar or a piano, I’m certain that I can sing to a room full of people.
“I wanted that element to be front-and-centre on this album.”
The result blends folk influences, country elements and the melodic style that has defined his previous releases.
The album lands on March 26, ahead of Dermot’s biggest headline tour to date, running through May and June 2026. The European leg includes his largest venues yet, followed by six UK arena shows, including a return to London’s O2 on June 5. In July, he will play two major homecoming shows at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Dermot has already built a strong live reputation, performing at venues such as The O2 and Madison Square Garden. The upcoming tour will feature material from The Weight of the Woods alongside fan favourites from earlier releases.
Recent live activity has included intimate stripped-back shows across Europe, the UK and North America, a half-time performance at Soccer Aid in Manchester, and appearances with GRAMMY winner Zach Bryan at BST Hyde Park in London and at Notre Dame Stadium in the US.
The album and tour news follow the launch of MISNEACH, Kennedy’s new annual global music festival. The debut events, held in Sydney and Boston in March, sold out and were timed around St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
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