Dozens of fans gathered in Boston’s South End on Sunday as contestants dressed like Noah Kahan and competed for a $100 prize.
Boston’s South End turned into a celebration of Noah Kahan on Sunday, as fans gathered for a fun-filled look-alike competition inspired by the popular New England singer-songwriter.
About a dozen contestants took part in the event, showing up in Kahan-inspired outfits that featured some of his recognizable style — including long dark hair, beards, braids and, of course, guitars.
The competition was organized by Blackbird Doughnuts, which invited participants to not only resemble Kahan but also perform lip-syncs to some of his best-known songs.
More than 60 people reportedly gathered to watch the competition and cheer on the participants.
Contestants Channel Noah Kahan’s Signature Style
The competitors went all-in on the theme, with several sporting Vermont hats, long hair and braided hairstyles associated with Kahan’s public image.
Contestants also performed along to songs from the singer’s catalog, including popular tracks such as “Stick Season” and “Northern Attitude.”
The event came during a particularly big year for Kahan in Boston. Earlier this summer, the Vermont-born artist played a sold-out four-night run at Fenway Park, a milestone that further cemented his popularity across New England.
That recent success helped make Kahan a natural choice for the South End event.
Delaney Beaudoin, Blackbird Doughnuts’ head of marketing and creative and the contest’s emcee, said the singer’s strong connection with Boston made the idea especially appealing.
She described the past few months as a “Noah Kahan summer,” pointing to his four-night Fenway run and the attention surrounding the performances.
Blackbird Doughnuts had previously experimented with the concept as well, hosting a Bad Bunny-themed look-alike competition in April.
Somerville Resident Takes the Top Prize
The winner of Sunday’s competition was Nema Kheradmand of Somerville.
Kheradmand appeared in a Vermont hat and braided hairstyle before performing his lip-sync for the crowd. His performance and resemblance were enough to earn him the $100 cash prize.
Rather than keeping the money, Kheradmand reportedly chose to donate his winnings to The Busyhead Project, Kahan’s nonprofit organization focused on mental health.
The crowd erupted in cheers when Beaudoin announced Kheradmand as the winner.
Blackbird Doughnuts Adds a Noah Kahan Twist
The celebration extended beyond the competition itself.
Blackbird Doughnuts created a special menu for the event, including a maple braid doughnut — a playful reference to Kahan’s recognizable braided hairstyle.
The combination of themed food, costumes and live performances helped turn the contest into a community gathering rather than simply a competition.
Beaudoin said the response from attendees was especially encouraging and described the enthusiasm surrounding the event as heartwarming. She also indicated that Blackbird Doughnuts plans to organize additional community-oriented events in the future.
A Playful Tribute to a New England Favorite
The South End gathering offered fans a lighthearted way to celebrate an artist who has developed a particularly strong following throughout New England.
From homemade costumes and braided wigs to guitar performances and enthusiastic cheering, contestants clearly embraced the spirit of the event.
For Kheradmand, the afternoon ended with both a victory and a chance to support a cause connected to the singer.
With more themed community events potentially on the way, Sunday’s contest appears to have been another successful chapter in Boston’s growing enthusiasm for Noah Kahan.