Watch Noah Kahan Perform The Great Divide and Doors on Saturday Night Live

Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on May 9, 2026, marking his return to the program to promote his latest studio project.

Performing alongside host Matt Damon, Kahan delivered two tracks from his fourth studio album, The Great Divide, which was released on April 24. For this appearance, the artist was accompanied by his full band to perform the Americana-styled title track and a folksy acoustic ballad titled Doors.

Themes of The Great Divide

Kahan has provided insight into the emotional and geographical inspirations that shaped the new record, describing the music as a way to bridge a gap between his current life and his origins.

From a long silence forms a divide, a great expanse demanding attention. I stare across it. I see old friends, my father, my mother, my siblings, my younger self, the great state of Vermont. I want to scream these feelings, to gesticulate wildly at the figures on the other side, but my voice has grown hoarse and muted after years of climbing a ladder towards the wild, spiralling dreams that have materialised in front of me. Instead, I wrote them down next to a piano in Nashville, next to a pond in Guilford Vermont, in a legendary studio in upstate New York, on a farm with a firetower in Only, Tennessee. The songs are the words I would say if I could. They are the fears I dance with in the moments before I drift off to sleep. The music here is my best attempt to delve deeper into the people, places, and feelings that have made me who I am. I am grateful for all of it, for all of you, for listening to them, if you choose to do so.

Noah Kahan

This performance follows a trajectory of growth for the artist, who previously made his Saturday Night Live debut in December 2023. During an interview with NME in 2023, Kahan reflected on the unexpected trajectory of his career and the impact of his hit song Stick Season, stating I never thought this was gonna happen to me.

Touring and Festival Schedule

To support the release of The Great Divide, Kahan has announced an extensive world tour. The artist is scheduled to begin the North American leg of the tour during the summer of 2026.

Following the North American dates, the tour will move to Australia and New Zealand in September and October. Kahan will then travel to Ireland and the United Kingdom in November before concluding the tour in mainland Europe.

In addition to his headlining tour, Kahan is confirmed to perform at Bonnaroo 2026. He will appear on the festival lineup alongside other artists including Skrillex, Turnstile, and The Strokes.

Saturday Night Live Season 51

The May 9 appearance served as the penultimate episode of the 51st season of Saturday Night Live. The series is scheduled to conclude its season next week.

The season finale will feature Will Ferrell as the host and Paul McCartney as the musical guest. The appearance comes ahead of the May 29 release of McCartney’s new album, titled The Boys Of Dungeon Lane.