Teddy Swims has become a name synonymous with raw emotion and versatility, and on Thursday night, September 26th at Albany’s Palace Theatre, he proved why he’s one of the most magnetic performers in music today.
The Atlanta-born singer sold out the venue, bringing his soul-stirring blend of R&B, pop, country, and rock to an adoring crowd as part of his “I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy” tour. Along with a joyous opening set from country-rap artist Breland, fans weren’t just showing up for the music, they came for the connection and they came to party.
Opening the night was Breland, a country-rap hybrid artist who’s quickly making a name for himself with his genre-defying sound. His energy was infectious as he performed hits like “My Truck,” “For What It’s Worth,” and “Thick.” He was the perfect warm-up for an audience ready to feel every lyric. Breland’s ability to mix country storytelling with urban beats mirrors Swims’ ability to blend styles, making him a natural opener for this tour. After a brief set-change, it was finally time to jump into the deep end.
The bond between Teddy Swims and his fans runs deeper than his music. At the Palace Theatre, it was clear that his audience connects with him on a personal level. This is a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve—quite literally, as his tattoos tell the story of his life and struggles. His heavily inked arms are a reflection of his journey, including a prominent “Create Forever” tattoo that serves as a mantra for the singer. Teddy’s tattoos are more than just ink—they are milestones in his personal journey.
Each piece is carefully curated to represent his struggles, growth, and commitment to his craft. His body art has become as iconic as his voice, with fans often asking about the stories behind the designs. From lyrics of songs to meaningful symbols that represent family, Swims’ tattoos have become part of his brand. Whether he’s singing about love, heartbreak, or resilience, fans see a part of themselves in his lyrics, and it’s this authenticity that sets him apart.
Opening his performance at the Palace with “Goodbye’s Been Good to You” and “What More Can I Say,” from the moment Teddy and his band, Freak Freely, took the stage, the audience was completely enamored. With both girls and guys regularly blurting out “I love you, Teddy!” he was always quick to acknowledge he heard them and that he loves them right back. After all, as Swims is quick to point out, it’s because of them that he’s allowed to “have the best job in the world.” His one request for the evening was that everyone has fun, stays hydrated and to look after the people in their section to make sure everyone was all good.
During his set, you could feel the energy in the room shift when he introduced songs like “Broke,” which tackles financial struggles, and “911,” a deeply emotional track about mental health. Following them up with a pair of his most recent singles, “Bad Dreams” and “Funeral,” Teddy’s themes often range from self-empowerment to vulnerability, but at the core of every song is the idea of keeping it real, even when life gets hard. Referencing just how far he’s come since the last time he was in Albany, at the much smaller Empire Live venue down the street in November of 2022, his rocket ship to the top has been full throttle ever since, yet Teddy seems to be the same guy now that local fans fell in love with back then.
Swims rise to fame started humbly, as he began uploading covers to YouTube in 2019. What set him apart was his ability to take on songs from a wide range of genres—everything from Marvin Gaye to Shania Twain—and infuse them with his unique grit and soul. That versatility earned him viral success and a massive following, catapulting him into mainstream success. His cover of “You’re Still the One” went viral, showcasing his vocal power, which, combined with his vulnerability, won over millions.
Now, with 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify and growing, he’s proving that his original material connects just as much as the covers that brought him into the spotlight. Of the many highlights of the night though, perhaps none was more touching than when Teddy invited his main squeeze out for a duet on the aforementioned Shania cover of “You’re Still the One.” At the end of the song, the two exchanged a heartfelt kiss in the middle of the stage which elicited a HUGE ovation, even bringing some to tears.
While Teddy’s voice is his ultimate instrument, it was the band behind him that brought the music to life. Backing him up on stage was Freak Freely, a tight-knit band of musicians who are as dynamic and versatile as Teddy himself. They seamlessly blend genres, moving from soulful ballads to full-blown rock numbers. The core group includes Addy Maxwell (guitar), Christian Medice (drums), and Kyng Henson (bass), each bringing their own flavor to the sound.
Their synergy with Swims is palpable, creating an atmosphere where every note feels meaningful. Wowing the crowd with their chops on songs like “Hammer to the Heart,” “Devil in a Dress” and the party anthem “Apple Juice,” Teddy made sure to give each member of the group ample time to shine in the spotlight too.
A true man of the people, during various guitar, keyboard and drum solo breaks throughout the night, Teddy could be seen signing autographs and T-shirts that people had brought up to the stage. He was even totally cool with people being on their phones during the show. In fact, at one point during his song “Simple Things,” he encouraged everyone to text a friend or a loved one that they hadn’t been in touch with for a while, just to let them know you still care.
His endearing sentimentality also came through prior to performing “Some Things I’ll Never Know,” in which he admits he still thinks about a particular ex-lover and wonders what could have been, before “hypothetically” wishing she was doing well. The ballads continued with “Last Communion” before 2021’s “Bed on Fire” from his album Unlearning brought the main portion of the show to a close and left the audience begging for more.
Returning to the stage with a huge smile on his face, Teddy would soulfully croon “Tell Me” before an absolutely gorgeous piano solo gave the audience ample time to contemplate life. Following an equally beautiful guitar solo intro by Addy Maxwell, fans finally got the song they had been waiting all night for. A veritable smash hit with well over 1 billion streams in just over a year, “Lose Control” had people from the very front to the very top of the balcony singing along with every word. It was one of those concert moments that simply gives you the chills and you knew it was something special. With time left for just one more song, Teddy Swims sent fans out of the Palace Theatre doors in a near euphoric state with one final hit, “The Door,” bringing the scintillating performance to a close.
As giddy fans gathered outside, the buzz over what they had just experienced felt palpable. Everyone just knew they had to savor the moment, because everyone knew it would likely be the last time they saw Teddy Swims in a venue this size. Destined for bigger stages in bigger cities, years from now, people will still be talking about this show and saying “I remember the night Teddy sold-out the Palace and it’s still one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.” As Teddy Swims continues his North American tour, he’s gearing up for stops in Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. His star is only rising, and if his show in Albany was any indication, this is just the beginning. Fans are flocking to see a singer who doesn’t just perform songs—he lives them. Every tear, every smile, every ounce of sweat is real, and that’s why Teddy Swims’ shows feel like much more than a night of music—they feel like a shared experience.
Teddy Swims | September 26, 2024 | Palace Theatre | Albany, NY
Setlist: Goodbye’s Been Good to You, What More Can I Say, Broke, 911, Bad Dreams, Hammer to the Heart, All That Really Matters, Devil in a Dress, Funeral, Apple Juice, Simple Things, You’re Still the One*, Some Things I’ll Never Know, Last Communion, Bed on Fire.
Encore: Tell Me, Lose Control, The Door.
Breland | September 26, 2024 | Palace Theatre | Albany, NY
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