Fans gathered at TD Garden for the Misneach Festival, celebrating Irish culture and music.
On March 19, 2025, Boston’s TD Garden celebrated the inaugural Misneach Festival, hosted by Dermot Kennedy. The event showcased various artists, including Nell Mescal and The Swell Season, creating a vibrant atmosphere of Irish culture. Despite some surprises in the setlist, Kennedy’s heartfelt performance concluded the festival, which aims to highlight Irish pride annually in Boston and beyond.
On March 19, 2025, Boston’s very own TD Garden transformed into a lively celebration of Irish culture as Dermot Kennedy’s Misneach Festival brought together people from far and wide. Originally set for the Brighton Music Hall, the festival found its new home at the iconic venue, which can accommodate a whopping 18,000 attendees. It was a sight to behold, with fans traveling from as far as Alaska and Germany, filling every nook and cranny with excitement.
Kickstarting the festival was the County Kildare native, Nell Mescal, who made her debut on an arena stage. This was an exciting moment for the young artist, especially since she had just released her debut EP, “Can I Miss it For a Minute?”, the previous year. Mescal’s performance was a delightful surprise, setting an intimate tone despite the vastness of the venue.
Next up was the folk duo Ye Vagabonds, who brought their special brand of music to the forefront. Their five-piece band, featuring a lovely mix of cello, upright bass, and keys, created a warm and inviting atmosphere that wrapped around the audience like a cozy blanket.
The penultimate act, The Swell Season, consisting of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, captivated the audience with their lovely tunes from their two full-length albums. Their heartfelt performance included a mesmerizing cover of Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic”, which showcased their stunning vocal harmonies and left the crowd yearning for more.
As the night moved on, the spotlight returned to Dermot Kennedy, who took the stage for a breathtaking 90-minute set. This performance echoed a similar event from the Sydney leg of the festival just a few days prior. Despite the energy in the room, Kennedy made a notable omission by not performing his renowned song, “Boston.” However, he later expressed his apologies for the slip, citing time constraints that night.
The festival had a fantastic turnout, with the first night completely sold out and approximately 85% capacity on the second night. The atmosphere was electric, as Kennedy closed the evening with an emotional performance of “The Parting Glass”, joined by all the talented artists who shared the stage that night.
Misneach, meaning “courage” in Gaelic, aims to spotlight Irish pride and spirit. Dermot Kennedy couldn’t have been happier to see Boston as the chosen location for this inaugural festival, a place that holds a deep connection for him. In between sets, the audience enjoyed U2 songs accompanied by stunning black-and-white footage of the enchanting Cliffs of Moher, truly enriching the experience.
The lineup featured a wonderful variety of musical genres, including folk, hip-hop, indie, and rock, highlighting the incredible diversity within the Irish music scene. Kennedy’s set also introduced his latest creation, “Let Me In,” which had just been released digitally on March 11, reminding fans of his earlier acoustic style.
With its success, the Misneach festival is set to become an annual tradition, celebrating Irish music while fostering community engagement. The event aims to make waves beyond Boston, expanding to cities with large Irish diasporas in the future, bringing the joy of Irish music and culture to a global audience.
In short, the Misneach Festival left a mark on Boston’s cultural landscape, uniting fans and performers in a shared love for music and the spirit of Ireland. As Dermot Kennedy continues to shine a light on his roots, the world can only wait with bated breath for what’s next.
Boston Gears Up for Seisiún Irish Music Festival
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