Noah Kahan + Jensen McRae @ Bell Centre

Noah Kahan and Jensen McRae brought the house down at the Bell Centre with a concert that was nothing short of electrifying! The energy was palpable From start to finish, and the music was infectious. Kahan has such a strong fan base that from the moment I walked into the photo pit, I was greeted with nothing but the warmest welcome and deeply infectious energy and excitement.

Jensen McRae kicked off the night with a performance that set the bar high for the evening. Her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics resonated with the audience, drawing them in and setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. She performed beautifully alongside her brother on keys; it was nice to see them share the stage and admire each other’s craft!

And then came Noah Kahan, taking the stage with an energy that was simply contagious. From the moment he started singing, the crowd was hooked. His powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics took us on a journey through love, loss, and everything in between (go, divorce!)

But it wasn’t just Noah’s incredible voice that captivated the audience—it was also his undeniable charisma and genuine connection with everyone in the room. Whether he was singing a heartfelt ballad or a catchy upbeat tune, he had the crowd hanging on his every word. A gentle touch of deeply personal jokes and sad (really sad) songs truly showed his range as both an artist and a comedian.

The set was adorned with boho string curtains (almost resembling those ropes we used to climb in elementary school gym class) and an impressive mountain-like screen, projecting images of his hometown in Vermont. We were also surprised with a stunning “Living Room” set, in which the band played seated, framed childhood photos hung above, throwing us into the life of Noah Kahan and giving us a deeper understanding of where his music stems from.

The show ended with a beautiful rainfall of fall-coloured leaves and artificial snow (don’t inhale artificial snow, it’s kind of painful), further reminding us of Noah’s Northern Attitude! It was quite special to hear Kahan say Montreal made him feel at home. As important as it is for an artist to make the crowd feel comfortable, being an artist on tour can be really strenuous, therefore sharing that moment of comfort and familiarity with Noah made the show that much more personal.

Together, Noah Kahan and Jensen McRae created a musical experience that was truly magical. They brought together people of all ages and backgrounds, united by their love of music and their shared experience of being transported to another world for one unforgettable night.

If you ever have the chance to see Noah Kahan and Jensen McRae live in concert, don’t hesitate for a moment. It’s an experience you’ll never forget, one that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired, and one that will make you consider turning your parents’ divorce into music the whole world resonates with.