A summer concert at McGraft Park in Muskegon was supposed to be a typical evening of live music. But shortly before Seamus Kennedy took the stage, it became clear that the weather had other plans.

Rain was moving in, and the crowd was considerably smaller than it would normally be for a concert at the park. Still, the people who came out were willing to brave the weather for an evening of music.

Rather than letting the rain end the evening, the concert took on a different character.

The crowd was invited up near the stage and, beneath the shelter of the pavilion, the performance became an intimate acoustic set. With rain falling outside, Seamus Kennedy performed for the smaller gathering while the audience joined in and sang along.

One of those moments came during Kennedy’s performance of “Sarah, Sarah.” Without the usual large outdoor-concert atmosphere, the song became something much more personal—a musician, a small group of people gathered close together, and the sound of the audience singing along as the rain continued outside.

Sometimes weather changes more than the forecast. It can change the entire feeling of a concert.

What began as a rainy night with a smaller-than-usual crowd at McGraft Park turned into a memorable acoustic performance shared by the people who decided to show up anyway.

About the Concert and Michigan Irish Music Festival

This McGraft Park concert was sponsored by the Michigan Irish Music Festival, which brings Irish and Celtic music and culture to Muskegon and West Michigan. The festival is a multi-day celebration held at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon, featuring musicians and performers from the Irish and Celtic music community.

If you enjoyed Seamus Kennedy’s performance of “Sarah, Sarah,” you can also see Seamus at the 2026 Michigan Irish Music Festival in Muskegon.

This video was independently produced as a community recording of the performance. It is not affiliated with, commissioned by, or sponsored by the Michigan Irish Music Festival.

Learn more about the Michigan Irish Music Festival: Michigan Irish Music Festival