Big voice, bigger heart: Teddy Swims brings soulful performance to The Anthem

There’s something almost contradictory about Teddy Swims.

He can floor a room with the most delicate lyrics before launching into a vocal run that would make Bruno Mars sweat.

But at his sold-out Anthem show on July 16, the night wasn’t defined by powerhouse vocals and pyrotechnics alone. It was marked by his humble nature, moments where his genuine connection with the audience took center stage. Between immersive light shows and tender melodies, Swims shared heartfelt gratitude that made clear why sincerity remains his most powerful performance asset.

The Georgia-born singer brought his signature blend of soul, rock, country, and pop to a packed house that sang along with every word. “You sound as good as you look,” he grinned early in the night, settling in with an ease that’s become his trademark. Backed by his band Freak Freely and a trio of background vocalists, his signature lyricism wrapped around every note. Swims has the captivating ability to dip between songs like "Small Hands" and "The Door." One about becoming a father to his newborn son, the other about finding the strength to leave an abusive relationships. The latter, in Swims' words, "is about my ex girlfriend. She absolutely sucks."

Swims’ versatility was on full display from the raw emotion of “Black & White,” which gripped the room, to the slinky falsetto of “Devil in a Dress.” His vocal runs were fiercely fluid, particularly on standout hit "Lose Control," which just became the first song ever to spend 100 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Visually, the show was a stunner. Celestial projections gave way to vibrant psychedelic teddy bears, creating a mesmerizing backdrop that perfectly matched the heart of Swims’ performance. Even playful moments carried meaning: a jukebox animation let fans pick surprise covers, including a smooth, full-bodied take on Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You”—a nod to his early YouTube days and the covers that first put him on the map.

Since then, Teddy Swims has only grown into his enormous talent and charm, transforming from a YouTube virality in 2019 to selling out The Anthem in just over 5 years. With every therapeutic show, fans cherish the fleeting opportunity to catch him in intimate venues, with a trajectory pointing toward ever-larger venues and a spotlight that’s only going to shine brighter.