Noah Kahan’s Great Divide Tour review: Philadelphia gave all its love during epic show

Even if his concert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was technically the third show of Noah Kahan’s Great Divide Tour (not counting his headlining set at Bonnaroo on Sunday, June 14), which is in support of his fourth studio album released earlier in 2026, it might as well have been opening night.

“What’s up, Twitter? Noah Kahan can’t sell out stadiums?” he asked in a facetious phone call, slyly calling out his haters before a standout performance of “She Calls Me Back,” a song from his hit 2022 album Stick Season.

Clearly, anyone who doubts his drawing power isn’t paying attention to his career. Citizens Bank Park was filled with the most people and excitement since the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies World Series-winning season on June 26. This was also likely his biggest show in Philly, as he recalled it being the only city he was heckled in while on his come-up.

There wouldn’t be any heckling on Friday night, though even Kahan was aware of how packed the Phillies’ ballpark was, joking that he’d be in trouble if everyone were mad at him.

And yet, of the 40,000+ in attendance, almost everyone was attuned to the show. No, it wasn’t quite like the phone-free Phoebe Bridgers show at Madison Square Garden — the thought of that alone in a venue as big as Citizens Bank Park is unpleasant — but it proved one thing: his music connects with people. With very few exceptions, most seemed to be in the moment, withholding the temptation to record every number. That is special.

Of course, every artist has at least one fan. However, Kahan’s connection to his fans is real, something that aptly describes the self-described ” singer-songwriter with folk-pop tendencies.” At one point, he was at a loss for words when addressing the City of Brotherly Love. This wasn’t your usual artist bashfulness — he appeared genuinely overtaken with emotion.

Everyone, including the kids, moms, dads, girlfriends, boyfriends, frat boys, husbands, wives, and even the cops, was into the concert. It was one of the most unifying and spiritual atmospheres that a concert can provide.

Noah Kahan’s Great Divide Tour Philadelphia show review

The Great Divide Tour is a celebration of his last two critically-acclaimed albums (all but one song was from Stick Season and The Great Divide).

It got off to a rocking start with the Sam Fender-coded “American Cars” (perhaps he’ll bring Fender out during one of his England Shows). “Doors” and “All My Love” closed out the opening trio of songs.

Six of the first seven songs performed were from The Great Divide. The setlist appeared to be something Kahan was still tinkering with. Since the opening concert in Orlando, he swapped out a few songs, performing “Maine” from his Cape Elizabeth EP — the best performance of the night — and debuting “All Them Horses” (a “song about horsies,” as he phrased it) for the first time. This did come at the expense of “Everywhere, Everything” being axed, but it might’ve been a fair sacrifice.

A setlist is completely up to an artist. They use it to convey the story they’re trying to tell. The Great Divide Tour is a healing experience for its audience members.

The stage also set the mood. A house, which could transform into a winter cabin and “Kahan’s Convenience,” would occasionally serve as the backdrop of the music.

Like Coldplay, Kahan used light-up wristbands that illuminated in unison throughout the concert. It was truly breathtaking to see the sea of tens of thousands of lights at Citizens Bank Park, especially during “Maine.”

They are also having a lot of fun on stage. Kahan’s guitarists were playing with their legs up in the air at one point, and he was “arrested” before “Dial Drunk.”

Anyone who believes his music is too self-serious or sad — even he warned the audience of the show’s mood early on — needs to see this tour. The little moments, like his “arrest” or the hoedown that takes place during “Paid Time Off,” which is just as good live as it is on the album, stand above even the most epic moments of the concert, like thousands of fans belting “Northern Attitude.”

Playing in the City of Brotherly Love

He was, like a true professional, also very aware of his crowd. Kahan, a New England native, egged the crowd on by telling Philadelphia that they were closer to Boston than they’d care to admit, resulting in the only boos of the night.

However, that Philly flame came to light before “Dashboard.” Beforehand, he told the crowd that the song was about a*sholes,” specifically naming his sister’s ex-boyfriend, Will. the crowd promptly chanted “F**k you, Will!”

Even more so than on his last tour, Kahan seems comfortable as a performer, even cracking a “6-7” joke during “She Calls Me Back,” which got a loud pop. He navigated all parts of the stage, playing on various B-stages set up in the stadium.

He went for two hours straight with no real breaks (except when he traveled to the rooftop for “Willing and Able”). It’s a true testament to his stamina, and he shouted out Taylor Swift, who grew up about an hour away in West Reading, for doing it for three hours on the Eras Tour.

The best moments were when Kahan was with the audience. He started his time on one of the B-stages by playing “Orbiter” and “Maine.” He was then joined by his bandmates for “Paid Time Off,” “All Them Horses,” and “The View Between Villages.” Here, more than ever, it was obvious how much fun they were all having.

Kahan is the star of the show, but the multitalented Nina de Vitry deserves a lot of love. She played the violin (trading awesome solos with one of the guitarists), the mandolin, and the acoustic guitar throughout the show.

Should you attend Noah Kahan’s Great Divide Tour?

If Orlando was the soft opening of The Great Divide Tour, Philadelphia was the grand opening. The tight, two-hour show was one of the most powerful experiences you’ll see at a concert.

In 2026, it’s becoming increasingly rare to find audiences this connected with the performance. This was a true communal experience, something that has been lost since the rise of cell phones and social media. Thousands cried and sang their hearts out together.

As much as Kahan laments that his songs are sad, they’re healing. Stick Season came and made Kahan a star. The Great Divide and its subsequent tour have proven that his success is no fluke. Not only is he one of the best young songwriters, but he’s a great performer who puts together a carefully-crafted set.

It felt as though Philadelphia brought something special. Unlike one of his last visits, there was no heckling on Friday night. This was just a perfect summer concert put on by the pop artist with perhaps the most genuine connection with their fanbase.

The full setlist from Noah Kahan’s Philadelphia concert

Below is the full setlist from Kahan’s concert at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, June 26, 2026.

• “American Cars”
• “Doors”
• “All My Love”
• “Deny Deny Deny”
• “Staying Still”
• “Haircut”
• “Downfall”
• “She Calls Me Back”
• “Dashboard”
• “Dial Drunk”
• “Willing and Able”
• “Porch Light”
• “Orbiter”
• “Maine”
• “Paid Time Off”
• “All Them Horses” (Tour debut)
• “The View Between Villages”
• “Northern Attitude”
• “The Great Divide”
• “Orange Juice”
• “New Perspective”

Encore

• “End of August”
• “Homesick”
• “Stick Season”

Noah Kahan’s Great Divide Tour will continue through Dec. 7, 2026.

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