Dermot Kennedy says he's misunderstood as being 'mad…

Dermot Kennedy says he's misunderstood as being 'mad serious' but insists he's really a ‘joker’

Dermot Kennedy says he's misunderstood as being 'mad serious' due to his moving music but insists he's really a ‘joker’ behind the scenes.

The Dubliner is known for lamenting about love and loss in some of his biggest hits, and says he feels every emotion when he is singing them, just like fans do.

“I really do live in those emotions and I think that is why it works for people listening, they can tell it is sincere, so it is possible to be moved by it,” he said.

But the singing sensation said that is where the seriousness ends, adding: “I think that is the biggest thing. Because of the songs and stuff, people think I kind of walk around mad serious all the time. And that literally couldn’t be less true. Because I think every serious thought and heavy emotion I get it all out in the music so in every other aspect of my life, I try not to take it too seriously. So I'd say I'm a joker.

Speaking to 98FMs Big Breakfast with Rebecca and Brendan, the 30-year-old went on: “But similarly in school or something, not at all. Like I was literally just hiding, constantly.”

Dermot has become one of the biggest and fastest selling live artists ever following his historic run of Irish shows in 2022 - with eight huge concerts across Ireland, including a headline slot at Electric Picnic.

Listing it as one of the biggest moments of his career to date, he said: “Thinking about Ireland, headlining Electric Picnic is a very big moment. Because it is not always the case that you definitely enjoy the biggest show, sometimes they are intimidating and a bit blurry. But that one was unreal, it really was. To be on stage and see that many people was surreal. And for them to know the music."

The Giants hitmaker said that now he finds himself having to ‘check himself’ to take stock of everything he has achieved so far.

“Because you are on stage all the time and it is easy to let these things pass you by but that one was very important.

“And it was nice I was down at the festival all day, and then played that night. It was a pretty perfect day to be honest.”

The perfect days are set to continue for the star, who is set to play Marley Park next summer, with Dermot admitting:

“We just have to go up a level. You just have to or otherwise people will just be like ‘ah i’ve seen this already. So it is this funny game I'm in where I'm constantly trying to reach new levels and put on new shows and just be creatively ambitious all the time. Because otherwise it is just a game, it gets boring for me and for them.