Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour was bound to be a blast. But during her run of four back-to-back concerts in New York’s Madison Square Garden, Olivia surprised even her most devoted fans when she invited one of her favourite artists on stage for a live duet of his greatest hit, the viral clip amassing over 3 million YouTube views to date.
The then 20-year-old Olivia introduced her special guest, revealing, “There’s this artist who I really love. I found his music about a year ago and I instantly became obsessed. He’s an incredible songwriter, an incredible singer… an incredible performer.” With the audience on the edge of their seats, Olivia welcomed Noah Kahan – the folk-pop singer renowned for his 2022 hit, “Stick Season.”
Olivia brims with genuine excitement at her chance to join forces with Noah, picking up her own acoustic guitar to sing one of the biggest hits of the decade. The stage lights fade to black, and Noah’s verse begins to a wave of screams, Olivia taking on the second verse in her soft voice.
And the pair certainly made the right song choice — the Madison Square Garden audience went feral for the hit, singing every word of the song almost as loud as the stars themselves. In an extra special moment, Olivia and Noah split the iconic chorus lines between each other before joining in harmonies which only got better as they powered through the song.
Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” first hit streaming services back in July 2022, going viral on TikTok yet only attaining “moderate success.” Over a year later, Olivia weaved her way into the “Stick Season” lore when she covered the track at BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, in a viral clip that’s since gained over 12 million views! It was this cover which detonated Noah’s explosive hit to become the pop phenomenon it is today — hitting #1 in the singles charts from the UK to Australia and becoming one of 2024’s greatest hits.
Olivia’s fans couldn’t get over how flawless her solo BBC Live Lounge cover was, leading hundreds of listeners to comment on how unexpectedly well her voice suits Noah’s style of pop. When she shared the stage with Noah Kahan at last, even viewers who’d never heard Olivia’s voice before were enthralled by this set, one newly converted fan commenting, “These two complement each other perfectly! Gives me vibes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell,” and another pointing out, “Shout out to Noah Kahan for writing a song so iconic that the crowd at a different artist’s concert can sing it word for word.”
Olivia Rodrigo continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and her unforgettable duet with Noah Kahan highlights her passion for music and collaboration. With each performance, her artistry shines brighter than ever. To explore more about Olivia’s incredible journey and the magic of her GUTS World Tour, check out the links below.