After the global success of his smash hit 'Lose Control', American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims has returned to Australia to promote his 2023 debut album 'I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1)'.
So, it was on a typical Friday night (19 July) at a packed Riverside Theatre the breakthrough superstar gave Perth punters a show for the ages.Aussie Meg Mac gave a sizzling entree serving of rock-pop sounds, buttering up the audience with hits like 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' and 'I'm Not Coming Back'. She even teased some new tunes like the punchy 'The Tune I'll Be Singing Until I'm Dead'.
There's nothing quite like an entrance set to the thrashing red heartbeat of a ludicrous guitar solo complete with pyrotechnics. Jaten Collin Dimsdale, otherwise known as Teddy Swims, swaggered onto the stage with a moonbeam of a smile you couldn't help but melt like putty in his tattooed palms.
Image © Sam Mead
"Perth what's up!” booms the American R&B singer before opening tonight's proceedings with 'Goodbye's Been Good To You' and 'What More Can I Say'. Two infectious earworms filled with soul balancing out the singer's grand vocals with an incredible performance by his supporting band Freak Freely, a group of incredibly talented instrumentalists.
The mums, the dads, aunties and uncles were out in droves to witness the smooth, leathery, rich tones of Teddy as he takes everyone to church. Jesse on guitar cuts through the screaming with some audaciously crazy licks, sending shock waves around the room and launching into 'Hammer To The Heart'.
There are pauses every few songs as fans sneak to the front to take a selfie or pass gifts to their assigned reverend of the night. Teddy not being one to turn down a good tongue-out, peace-sign pose obliges profusely.
"This song's how much I love you, you cuties," he declares, handing a fan back a signed bear. The ILLENIUM-assisted track 'All That Really Matters' is an EDM-tinged ballad that lifts you sky high straight to euphoria as confetti blasts onto the crowd in a show of love, and where Teddy is able to display an exquisite vocal performance even when lying down and posing for more photos.
'Devil In A Dress' sees the stage swimming in a seductive red glow as a pulsing, heavy drum beat lifts the audience out of their seats. It's a real foot stomper.
Image © Sam Mead
"This next one is about drinking, it's called 'Apple Juice'," he announces before posing like a pinup girl for more selfies with the mums; even going as far as to trade socks with a mother in the crowd, giving her a sweaty possession to parade around her children's bake sales.
"This is a new song, it's called 'Funeral', we just put it out last Friday." If this is an inclination to the future sound of Teddy Swims, we are in for a treat. It's a bombastic ripper of a rock song that takes Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' and brings it to the altar to marry in a gospel-tinged wedding with a ripper of an outro.
At this point an apocalyptic hoard has descended at the foot of stage like a frenzied outbreak. The hoodie-donned hero must pause the show to send everyone back to their seats before the whole thing gets shut down.
Cooling everyone off, things take a sombre turn with songs 'Simple Things' as Teddy croons wistfully over a country slow dance with the crowd performing backing vocals.
The crowd work at times felt a bit disjointed, taking you out of the concert and into a church ceremony as he brings down a couple that just proposed during 'Amazing' to sing them a rendition of Shania Twain's 'You're Still The One'. "Right before that happened, I was gunna play a really sad song. Y'all got me stressing, got me taking nicotine during this set.
"We're gunna go on a journey, can you do that with me, we'll do this one song then go back to the happy stuff." A single stage light hangs overhead as the most angelic booming voice echoes through the theatre in the most heart-breaking melody.
Image © Sam Mead
'Some Things I'll Never Know' is a real tearjerker that lets the 31-year-old really connect one on one, as if he's singing just for you. It's a touching moment in an otherwise rambunctious set list.
"You mean so much to me, you all saved my life. I hope you know that." His appreciation comes in the form of 'Bed On Fire', a neat little number that tucks you up in a nostalgic summer haze as the stage ignites in sparks to the maniacal preacher screaming "let it burn let it burn let it burn". I think it did Teddy.
To hear a voice so powerful and heavenly coming from the tatted man in ripped denim shorts and a green baggy hoodie onstage is an almost out of body experience. So much so that if it wasn't witnessed you wouldn't believe it.
A short interlude of an Americana afternoon breeze signifies a brief water break before the gang is out to play a round of fan faves. Starting off with the driving force of 'Tell Me', a highlight of the night, before giving everyone the smash hit and Billboard #1 and 2024 anthem 'Lose Control' with extended intro of insane proportions.
The crowd is rearing for more, almost clawing on to the stage as more fireworks light up the room. Final goodbyes come in the form of 'The Door', a jaunty swing that feels hot and heavy, sending a sold-out Riverside Theatre into the streets of Perth on a Friday night to the soundtrack of 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' by ABBA.
Image © Sam Mead
There's a casual sense to the artist, perhaps too casual at times, which sees a comfort onstage of someone who has grown up in these spaces and thrives off seeing everyone having a good time.
Teddy Swims and his band Freak Freely are an unstoppable force of immaculate and captivating soundscapes bolstered by the artist's incredible vocal range. It's a privilege to witness the rise of a true star that simply loves to sing and entertain.
"You've been amazing, love ya bye," he departs with a kiss.
- written by Sam Mead
More photos from the concert.
