Dermot Kennedy opens up about his new album 'Sonder'

We were thrilled to have Dermot Kennedy join us at Hits Live Birmingham on Saturday 12th November, where he performed 'Power Over Me', 'Outnumbered', Kiss Me', 'Better Days' and 'Something To Someone'. He also got chatting to UK Chart Show host Sarah-Jane Crawford about his new music.

Dermot's new album 'Sonder' is coming out on Friday 18th November and he shared some details about what fans can expect from it, saying: "I want people to see themselves in it, you know? These songs, this music, it contains all parts of me, like my sorrow, my joy, all that. I'm lucky that I write in such a way that people can relate, and I just want people to see their own stories in it, to be honest."

What is Dermot Kennedy's favourite song from 'Sonder'?

The Irish singer revealed that the most important song on the album for him right now is 'Innocence and Sadness', and explained why: "It's this acoustic song that we recorded, the version on the album is just one live take, because we were trying to record it properly and it was just losing all feeling. So the version on the album is just a performance."

Expanding on what it was like to record the song, he added: "It was funny because it was the last day we were making the album and it was fully deadline day and the more I sing the more my voice gets tired so it was diminishing. So we had like two go's left basically, and then the version we picked wasn't even the best one technically but it carried something."

What is Dermot Kennedy's new album called?

Dermot's upcoming album is called Sonder and the definition of the word is: 'The profound feeling of realising that everyone has a life as complex as one's own.'

He told us what the title means to him, saying: "In music, it's so self-centred and it's such a selfish pursuit to begin with it's so like thinking about my gig tonight, thinking about my ambitions for the future, thinking about my memories when I'm singing those songs, you know? It's really self-contained so I'm excited to have an album that's called 'Sonder' because it just means I can take the pressure off.

"I don't search for the spotlight, I swear I don't. Music is my favourite thing, I want to play to as many people as I can but I don't feel like someone who seeks out the limelight at all."

Watch Dermot Kennedy perform 'Power Over Me' at Hits Live Birmingham:

Fans were thrilled when Dermot performed some of his incredible tracks at Hits Live Birmingham, check out some of his set below.

Hits Live Birmingham also saw performances from Blue, Nathan Dawe, Craig David, Ella Henderson, Sam Ryder, Ellie Goulding and Lewis Capaldi.

How can I get tickets for Hits Live 2023?

Tickets for Hits Live 2023 are now on sale and you can get them using the links below.

Buy tickets for Hits Live Liverpool at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Friday 26th May 2023.

Buy tickets for Hits Live Birmingham at Resorts World Arena on Friday 24th November 2023.

Buy tickets for Hits Live Manchester at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 25th November 2023.

When is 'Sonder' coming out?

Dermot's second album 'Sonder' was released on Friday 18th November.

What is the tracklist for 'Sonder'?

Check out the songs on 'Sonder' below.

'Any Love'

'Something to Someone'

'Kiss Me'

'Dreamer'

'Innocence and Sadness'

'Divide'

'Homeward'

'One Life'

'Better Days'

'Already Gone'

'Blossom'

Which song from 'Sonder' has had the biggest reaction from fans?

Before its release, Dermot performed a number of his new songs at live shows and explained what the response from fans had been like: "The beauty of the first album, it's real exciting, it's like I'm here, check out this new artist. Then the second album, it's like alright you exist now, what are you going to do? So I think about these songs and how you put pressure on them in your own head and we've been playing one called 'One Life' that is on the album, and that reaction's been great to be honest.

"I don't know if people are necessarily aware of the insecurities we carry as artists when we go out on stage, like we really don't know how it's going to go, you truly don't so to get good feedback is huge."

What formats is 'Sonder' available on?

As well as being able to get 'Sonder' digitally, on CD and cassette, Dermot teased that there were also a few Limited Edition Deep Blue vinyls, white vinyls, and hand-numbered, lilac splatter vinyls available.

Is Dermot Kennedy on tour?

Dermot is going on a tour in 2023 in support of his 'Sonder' album, check out the dates below.

March 2023

Glasgow, OVO Hydro - Fri 31st

April 2023

Aberdeen, P&J Live- Sat 1st

Brighton, Brighton Centre - Mon 3rd

Bournemouth, Bournemouth International Centre - Tue 4th

Plymouth, Plymouth Pavilions - Wed 5th

Manchester, AO Arena - Fri 7th

Cardiff, Cardiff Motorpoint Arena - Sat 8th

Leeds, Leeds First Direct Arena - Mon 10th

Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena - Tue 11th

Birmingham, Resorts World Arena - Thu 13th

London, The O2 - Fri 14th

How can I get tickets to see Dermot Kennedy?

Tickets went on sale in October and are available to buy from Aloud.com

Who is joining Dermot Kennedy on tour?

For the UK leg of his tour, Dermot will be joined by American singer/songwriter Noah Kahan.

Check out these photos from Hits Live Birmingham:

Now read:

Dermot Kennedy: How the 'Outnumbered' singer became famous

Dermot Kennedy's biggest songs from 'Outnumbered' to 'Paradise'

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.

• dermot kennedy
• hits live