Teddy fever swam into Perth last night for the grand finale of his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy tour (see what i did there ;)) – and if the energy inside RAC Arena was anything to go by, Perth was more than ready for it.
In just two short years, Teddy Swims has gone from packing out 1,200 capacity rooms to selling out a nationwide run of arenas holding up to 15,000 fans. It’s a glow-up few artists manage so quick, but then again, few artists have the kind of soul, sincerity, and swagger that Swims does.
The night kicked off with entrance music worthy of a heavyweight bout — a DJ Kool remix that built to an abrupt stop as the lights flashed and anticipation spiked. Behind a black mesh curtain, the band’s silhouettes loomed before the drop revealed Swims himself: beaming, bedazzled, and ready to roll. Wearing a sparkling cap and a sheriff’s badge, Teddy looked every bit the soul outlaw rounding up Perth’s finest.
By song three, he was chatting to the crowd, his Southern drawl as warm as a Georgia summer. He introduced his band (Freak Freely) and backup singers (and, cheekily, “sexy Matt Corby”) before reminding everyone of the night’s single rule: “Stay with it. Look out for one another. Other than that – party on.”
From there, it was a rollercoaster of groove and gospel. “Mama” hit hard, followed by “Are You With Me,” which saw the bass ripple through the arena’s floor. “Damned If I Do,” one of the night’s biggest singalongs, showcased Swims’ trademark blend of vulnerability and grit – that sweet spot between heartache and hope.
It wasn’t just the voice – it was the showmanship. Signing a life-size fan poster & shoes (why?!) mid-song (yes, while still singing) without missing a beat.
“Little White Dress” brought bursts of red light and fire, giving the band their own spotlight moment. Visually, the whole production was a wild mix of 70s Soul Train meets 90s game show – bold, brassy, and completely Teddy.
Mid-set came a tonal shift. Dedicating “Need You More” to the mother of his son, Swims invited a moment of quiet in the room. Then came one of the night’s most heartfelt moments – the introduction of “Small Hands,” written for his newborn boy. “I had a life before,” he said, “but it’ll never be the same.” The honesty was palpable – a message that landed hard with every parent in the room.
“Love, love, love – hard to tell the truth when you lie to yourself,” he sang, a lyric that summed up what makes Teddy Swims such a magnetic storyteller. His songs dig deep, capturing every shade of emotion – heartbreak, joy, gratitude, regret – & wrapping it all in a voice that feels equal parts Sunday service and Saturday night barroom.
The tearjerker portion of the set closed with “Some Things Are Too Hard to Reconcile,” performed solo with JJ Harland on keys. It was an acoustic exhale before the final stretch; a beautiful, stripped-back reminder that sometimes less really is more.
Then came a playful turn – “Guilty,” followed by a nod to his YouTube roots. A giant jukebox prop appeared, and Swims invited fate to pick a cover. The winning combo? B2 — Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One.” Cue mass singalong.
He wasn’t done yet, though. Perched atop a toilet prop (because, why not?), Swims launched into “Your Kind of Crazy,” before sliding into a thumping, extended “Lose Control.”
And then … lights down, smoke rising … came the encore. The unmistakable opening chords of “Bed on Fire” ignited the crowd one last time. A sea of phone lights swayed as Swims poured every ounce of soul left in him into the finale.
Perth isn’t a city that often does school night attendance well, but last night, it made an exception. From kids to grannies, every voice joined in to send Teddy Swims off in style.
If therapy hasn’t worked, maybe sold-out arenas full of love, laughter, and a few thousand backing vocalists will?
With thanks to Frontier Touring for the media accreditation
