Teddy Swims doesn’t put on a performance that keeps his emotions contained. Fans who saw his Boston stop at TD Garden received every laugh, moment of vulnerability, and vocal run. All were delivered straight to them by Teddy Swims himself. This is what made his Boston stop on The UGLY Tour personal for both him and his audience: clean vocals and messy feelings.
The first act, MarcLo, is a singer/songwriter who has written songs for artists such as Teddy Swims, Ava Max, Nick Jonas, and many other artists as well. He came onto the stage to open up the show. Now stepping into the spotlight and opening up for The UGLY Tour, MarcLo is performing his own music from his newest release, 11 Days. His music combines R&B, Electronic, Soul, and Hip-Hop sounds to create his style. The result was the perfect vibe to kick off the night. It also got the audience ready for what was to come next.
After concluding his set, MarcLo stepped off the stage and made way for the next act, St Paul and The Broken Bones. The eight-piece soul band from Alabama brought a fusion of Southern soul, funk, and rock onto the stage. They layered their horn section with crisp rock instruments. Moreover, their live performance filled the arena from corner to corner in a way their studio recordings could never show. The group shifted from slow, dramatic ballads to soulful, explosive dance parties seamlessly.
The group wrapped up their performance and the clock began to tick louder and louder. The time for Teddy Swims to come out onto the stage grew closer. Fans braced themselves, held each other close, and embraced the moments of anticipation. Once the clock struck 9PM, the lights fell and the crowd immediately rose up.
Swims’ band, Freak Freely, began with synchronized hits to play his opening song, “The Door.” Swims was lowered on a platform to the floor of the stage.
His performance of “The Door” immediately set the tone for the rest of the night. His vocal notes rose high as he brought the emotion even higher.
Throughout his performance, Teddy Swims focused on reaching every audience member, no matter how long they had listened to his music. From older covers like “You’re Still The One” and “Set The Bed On Fire” to two unreleased tracks, “The Rain” and “Cut Me Loose,” his setlist blended every era of his music. This focus not only showed his consideration of all fans. It also honored his journey that brought him to the stage in Boston.
Included in his setlist choices, he used a live-voting system to get real-time feedback and opinions from fans during the show. Fans would scan QR codes on screens behind him and vote on or recommend which song should come next. As a result, this system let Boston participate in the performance beyond just being in the room. It further connected the music and artist to the concert-goers.
Along with soaring vocals, Freak Freely (Swims’ band) was given moments for each band member to solo and show off their talent. These breaks highlighted the bond and skill shared between every performer on stage. The stage featured a three-story building where Teddy and other vocalists performed. The set pieces were influenced by Atlanta’s rock scene, giving the stage an overall punk feeling.
Between all of these elements, Teddy Swims’ Boston performance was unforgettable for everyone who witnessed his stop at TD Garden. The show felt less like an elaborately planned performance. Instead, it felt more like a genuine conversation between Swims and the fans who stood in front of him. His vocals filled the room with sound, and his vulnerability filled the audience’s hearts and souls. On The UGLY Tour, Teddy Swims showed that a powerful performance doesn’t only come from strong vocals. Rather, it also comes from the willingness to be emotionally undone on stage, a combination that keeps his fans listening and showing up again.
Check out pictures from Teddy Swims’ show taken by Kenneth Palacios:
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