Opening with “All My Love,” fans immediately flashed “Welcome Home Noah” signs in the air, excited to have one of New England’s—and the world’s—favorite singer-songwriters back in his stomping grounds. Kahan, originally from Strafford, Vermont, and having lived in Watertown, broke through with his 2022 album “Stick Season.”
The album contains 14 tracks, plus several bonus tracks that pay homage to Noah’s New England roots. The two-hour benefit concert featured favorites from the album like “Homesick,” “The View Between Villages,” and closed with the crowd getting “sticky with Stick Season.”
If it’s even possible to sound better in person, Noah Kahan and his band members proved their musical creativity and range are even more invigorating live. The crowd’s enthusiasm and excitement were contagious every moment throughout the show!
The night brought surprises, including a special appearance from Ireland’s Niall Horan to duet “Northern Attitude.” The crowd went wild at the surprise! Kahan also debuted new songs from his upcoming album, hinting at even more exciting music on the horizon. He teased that “he’ll be back in Boston sooner than we think.”
The concert benefited two local non-profits and featured several exciting auction items. Over $1.5 million was raised for The Busyhead Project and the Red Sox Foundation, to be split evenly between the two organizations.
About The Busyhead Project
Named after Noah Kahan’s 2019 debut album, The Busyhead Project is a mental health initiative aimed at providing resources and information to end the stigma around mental health. Inspired by his own experiences, which Kahan shares publicly, the singer-songwriter launched The Busyhead Project in 2023 to make mental healthcare accessible.
Since its launch in 2023, Noah Kahan and The Busyhead Project raised over $5.5 million to increase access to mental healthcare by funding resources, reducing stigma, supporting local communities, partnering with organizations like Backline for industry-wide change, and hosting events and community initiatives across North America and the UK.
The $1.5 million raised on November 20 will be divided equally between The Busyhead Project and the Red Sox Foundation—the official charity of the Boston Red Sox, which is dedicated to improving health, education, and recreation for youth, families, veterans, and communities across New England through direct service programs, grants, and strong partnerships.
In celebration of the benefit concert and to further the movement for mental health access, the city of Boston officially declared November 20 “The Busyhead Project Day”.