Dermot Kennedy: Everything to know about his 3rd album 'The Weight of the Woods'
It was released on 3rd April
Last updated 8th Apr 2026
'Power Over Me' singer Dermot Kennedy has now released his third album 'The Weight of the Woods'. It arrived on 3rd April and features 13 songs on the standard version, with several different versions available.
Dermot's album was created between Ireland and Nashville, and the singer has described the album as "organically" Irish, without trying to force it, so let's find out more about the new release.
What is it the album called?
It is called 'The Weight of the Woods'. He announced the name of the album along with the release date on 23rd January 2026, with a video showing him walking up a hill through a wood.
What is the artwork?
Dermot released the artwork, along with the tracklist. The artwork shows Dermot sitting in a stone archway, wearing a long brown coat. He captioned the post: 'The Weight of the Woods tracklists!! Certain special versions with certain special songs, particularly one you guys have been asking me to record for quite some time, and I think we captured something very beautiful! These songs mean so much to me, I can’t wait for you to have them ♥️'.
What does the album sound like?
While the album was created in Nashville, home of country music, and his native Ireland, Dermot admitted it isn't country. He told Scott Clarke during a Hits Radio interview: "No, I'll definitely be inspired (by country music), but I could pretty much confidently say I won't do this."
However, the singer did open up about its sound saying: "The bulk of it's made down the road from where I live. So mostly it wasn't this kind of considered thing of like, 'oh, I need to make this Irish-sounding album'.
"I feel like that just kind of happens organically, through the instrumentation, there was a bazooki involved, there was mandolins, there was barons - like this Irish drum, a traditional drum. And so the sound just kind of showed up by itself."
What is the tracklist?
As mentioned above there are several different tracklists depending on the version of the album you have, they are listed below.
Standard LP
- 'The Weight of the Woods' (Reprise)
- 'Honest'
- 'Refuge'
- 'Funeral'
- 'Endless'
- 'Sycamore'
- 'Often, Lately'
- 'Turnstile'
- 'Wasted'
- 'Blue Eyes'
- 'Trepidation'
- 'The Only Time I Prayed'
- 'The Weight of the Woods'
Digital and cassette
This version includes one extra track called 'Happiness', which appears as track 13.
- 13. 'Happiness'
- 14. 'The Weight of the Woods'
D2C Exclusive Double LP
In addition to the digital and cassette tracklist there are two more.
- 15. 'Stockholm'
- 16. 'Carrickfergus' (Live)
Indies Exclusive Double LP
In addition to the digital and cassette tracklist there are two more (different tracks to the D2C Exclusive).
- 15. 'Black Water'
- 16. 'Deserve'
When was it released?
It was released on Friday 3rd April 2026.
What formats is it on?
As mentioned above it's available on several different formats, digital and cassette, along with various LPs.
When is he on tour?
Dermot will be on tour later this year, coming to the UK in May, June and July. The singer told Hits Radio: "I just want to take that feeling from the smaller venues and bring it to those shows and I think that's quite doable. I think sometimes you can be led to believe like, 'Oh, I'm playing an arena, there needs to be this much going on and the show needs to be like this to keep it' and it's just like, I don't know.
“I've been reminded time and time again for the last 10 years that the music isn't off, you know? And if you can get the right people in that room, they feel the same way. So yeah, you don't need to overthink it."
Take a look through tours taking place in 2026:
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, Westlife revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff has announced 'The Lucky Me Tour' which will see the 'Mature' singer return to the stage in four cities across the UK, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Glasgow this September. The UK leg is part of a world tour which spans seven countries, and started on 22nd June 2026.
Sam Smith
Sam Smith has announced 'To Be Free' UK show dates, including two nights at Manchester Albert Hall and an eight-night London residency. The singer will be performing between Thursday 3rd September and Friday 19th September 2026.
Niall Horan
Niall Horan will be taking his 'Dinner Party' album on tour in September and October 2026. Fans can expect the singer to be performing his old music along with some of his biggest hits. The singer starts his UK tour in Birmingham on 22nd September, before travelling across the UK, ending in London on 2nd October.
The Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls have reunited and will be playing a massive 53 dates around the world for their 'PCD Forever Tour', celebrating 20 years since 'Don't Cha' and the release of their debut album 'PCD'. Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts will begin in Birmingham on Tuesday 29th September, ending in London at The O2 Arena on Tuesday 13th October.
Noah Kahan
Noah Kahan will be bringing his 'The Great Divide' Tour to the UK this autumn, where he will be performing in Glasgow, Manchester and London. See the full list of dates and how to get tickets.
Hits Radio Live 2026
Hits Radio Live 2026 has now been announced at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham on Friday 20th November 2026 and Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 21st November 2026. Buy tickets now!
The Script
To celebrate their new album, Irish band The Script are visiting Ireland, the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia with 'The Man In The Arena Tour' from October 2026 to April 2027. The band will play dates in the UK in November!
Tinie Tempah
Tinie Tempah announced 'The Night's Not Dead – UK Tour 2026' for November and December 2026. The singer will be taking in five dates across the UK, including Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol and London.
'ALL STARS – The Music of ABBA'
A huge new UK tour has been announced for 'ALL STARS – The Music of ABBA'. The performances, which will unite four well-known performers, Samantha Mumba, Duncan James (Blue), Antony Costa (Blue) and Una Healy (The Saturdays), will include several shows starting in Croydon, in February 2027, and continuing until 11th April in Southampton.
James Blunt
Following the release of his sun-soaked single 'Tastes Like Summer', James Blunt announced a tour across the UK next year, and tickets are now on sale. The singer will be starting in Leeds on Friday 26th March, with dates across England, Scotland and Wales, ending the following month, on Thursday 8th April, in Brighton.
Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams has announced a huge tour with several UK dates in April and May 2027. The singer will be performing in Manchester, Glasgow and London.
Now read:
Dermot Kennedy: How the 'Better Days' singer became famous
Dermot Kennedy's biggest songs from 'Outnumbered' to 'Paradise'
Dermot Kennedy opens up about his new album and upcoming tour