Noah Kahan's First Sold-Out Arena Show: The Stick Season Tour In Vancouver
Walking into Noah Kahan's long-awaited show in Vancouver last week could only be described as that feeling of pure bliss when you come home from a long day of work, tear off your work clothes (most definitely folding them nicely and not at all tossing them to the floor’s corner) and finally slipping into the embrace of your favourite cozy oversized fleece sweater. Though I didn’t intend to open this review with thoughts of undressing, there's something about Noah Kahan that has an uncanny way of leading us down unexpected paths.
Noah Kahan finally brought his Stick Season tour to the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre in Vancouver, BC, last Wednesday. He immediately acknowledged how his journey has come full circle - from opening in the same venue years ago to a nearly empty audience, to now selling it out as the headliner, making it a very special venue for his very first sold-out arena show.
Noah’s setlist offered a blend of his signature heartfelt folk-pop tunes, bridging acoustic charm and upbeat modern pop. The bounce between dynamic tracks like "False Confidence" and “Young Blood” and soulful ballads like “Orange Juice” was like gobbling up warm cookies straight out of the emotional oven; dopamine overload. In his stripped-down rendition of "Growing Sideways", his smooth vocals highlighted his singer-songwriter mastery of articulating relatable stories and introspective themes.
The crowd's passionate singing along to well-known tracks (particularly during the encore's "Stick Season") showcased the profound connection Noah has with his fans. He intentionally took time to recognize the diverse audience that included both long-time devoted fans and welcomed newcomers.
Finally, it wouldn’t be right not to mention the fact that this individual is one of the funniest musicians I’ve seen in a while. Only Noah Kahan could perform three sad songs back-to-back, while cracking self-deprecating jokes during its entirety. If, for some inexplicable reason, the music thing doesn't pan out for him (which sounds like pure fiction), he's clearly got a guaranteed backup career in stand-up comedy.
From Noah’s incredible ability to craft raw emotions into catchy melodies, to his hilarious yet endearing stage presence, his concerts are a quirky carnival for the heart. His songs act as windows into his personal experiences, inviting his fans to connect deeply and making the show a truly heartfelt experience. Fans left the arena with tears in their eyes, laugh lines on their face, and songs stuck in their head. I came home feeling light as a feather, and immediately put on some Noah Kahan, brewed some tea, and even had enough motivation to clean up those work clothes I threw on the floor earlier.
