Scott Tady/Beaver County Radio
PITTSBURGH — Four summers ago, Noah Kahan stood on a secondary stage in the scorching afternoon sun, performing at a short-lived Hartwood Acres festival.
Hundreds cheered him on then — a far, far cry from the 40,000 fervent fans who packed PNC Park on this similarly sweltering Friday to savor a night with Kahan.
The 29-year-old Vermonter looked utterly at ease entertaining the sold-out Pittsburgh throng, as his folk-rock/Americana songs effectively and enticingly filled the cavernous space.
“Who’s ready to get miserable?” Kahan joked somewhere after launching with “American Cars,” his soon-to-make-a-splash single that’s been airing on WBVP-WMBA (Beaver County Radio).
On a couple occasions, Kahan poked fun at the dark lyrics and sorrowful reflections on his current album, “The Great Divide.”
But his Pittsburgh fans — skewing 20- and 30-somethings — joyfully sang along with most of Friday’s stage selections, in that eyes-half-closed-head-tilted-upwards elated way, ascribing personal associations and heartfelt meaning to Kahan’s lyrical tales of dysfunction and regret.
With his hair in his signature double braids, Kahan wore an oversized work shirt with the words “Now Hiring” on the lapel and green work pants — service station chic.
Kahan alternated between acoustic and electric guitars and mandolin, then played piano for the first two of his three encore picks.
His voice sounded crystal clear — every single lyric discernible — even perfectly-weighted amid his frequent emotional crescendos for choruses.
The six members of his band shined. Fast and soothing fiddle, stadium-sized kick drums and non-pandering mandolin structured the toe-tapping sonics.
Similar but upscaled from his May 2024 sold-out Pavilion at Star Lake season opener, Kahan utilized a stage backdrop resembling a rural wooden house with a big front porch. Creative camera angles showed him from behind, kicking open the house’s front door to begin his 24-song set.
A dashboard camera in a police car parked in a corner of the stage provided intriguing scoreboard visuals as Kahan acted out a scene of being arrested by a Vermont state trooper during “Dial Drunk.” The recyclable glow-in-the-dark wristbands spectators received for free upon entry illuminated in police-colored reds and blues.
Though this was not a stadium show reliant on scoreboard visuals, as Kahan’s earnest singing and friendly, wide-eyed personality filled the space.
He did five songs from the tip of the “C” stage jutting out into the crowd. Among the highlights there was another new song, “Paid Time Off.” That was also where Kahan cheerfully tried on for size the costumed animal head of a concertgoer who had come from Pittsburgh’s annual Anthrocon. Earlier in the night, Kahan joked about the convention’s “furries,” making it clear those folks were welcome, though he had questions.
Returning to the main stage, Kahan and the band excelled on “Northern Attitude,” led by drummer Marcos Valles’ sizable drum wallops.
Next came “The Great Divide,” which spawned a massive audience singalong.
It had been 90-plus degrees when concertgoers arrived, and most had stood for hours straight, but their energy level didn’t wane as the encore began with “End of August.”
Just like 2024, Kahan closed with his breakout song, “Stick Season,” as fans gleefully danced and sang along with lines like, “saw your mom but she forgot that I existed” and “I’ll drink alcohol ’til my friends come home for Christmas.”
For a Pittsburgh concert season light on stadium shows, it was a memorable night to long be cherished, starring a young artist reaching the apex of his powers.
The main opening act, Gigi Perez, rocked out tunefully. Maybe a bit of banter from her would have led concertgoers to look up from their phones more, though you can tell she’s got a bright future.