Teddy Swims at Wembley Arena

American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims began his career in 2019 by posting intimate covers of popular songs on YouTube. His soulful voice and fusion of country and R&B have attracted fans worldwide, and although it has only been six years since Teddy Swims’s humble beginnings in his small Georgia hometown, he has cemented his place amongst music’s biggest names. This week, he performed a sold-out show at the historic OVO Wembley Arena, adding to his list of successful feats.

The Arena is one of the world’s most famous stages, and Teddy Swims acted as though this gig for over 12,000 screaming fans was a regular Thursday night activity. The singer emerged dramatically from beneath the stage, dressed in an embellished red tartan ensemble. As blinding lights flashed and guitar riffs from Addy Maxwell and Jesse Hampton filled the air, he launched into Not Your Man, setting the tone for the night.

Teddy Swims’s setlist was skillfully crafted. In his first few moments, he performed the soul tune Apple Juice, then showcased his southern roots with the quintessential country track She Loves the Rain. He immediately diverged from Western to explore R&B with Are You Even Real (featuring Devin Velez). The singer never failed to keep fans on their toes, and no genre was safe from the domination of his live vocals.

Abrupt genre switches weren’t the only thrilling elements of the show; whether it was a new outfit, a set change, fan interactions or an acoustic moment, Teddy Swims made belting out vocally demanding songs look effortless. He had a microphone in one hand, but he ensured to sign plenty of autographs with the other, all the while masterfully singing during Devil in a Dress and It Ain’t Easy.

Teddy Swims may have been the star of the night, but at every opportunity, he made sure to thank his band. He highlighted his background vocalists with their very own solos, stepping back to put their impressive live skills in the spotlight they deserve. In Black and White, for example, the gorgeous voice of Jemila Richardson harmonised seamlessly with Teddy Swims’ and earned roaring applause. His continuous appreciation for his team added warmth to the show, whether it be by letting his guitarists have various riff-offs or by granting his keyboardist, Jairus Hardge creative liberty to improvise.

To pay homage to his YouTube beginnings, he allowed the audience to choose a surprise cover. In Birmingham, he performed Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody, but tonight, he delivered a heartfelt rendition of Shania Twain’s You’re Still the One and fans sang along, savouring every moment of his rich vocals.

As the night neared its finale, Teddy Swims’s greatest hits like Northern Lights, Your Kind of Crazy and No Control maintained the high energy despite over an hour of non-stop excitement. Although fans were not quite ready to leave the arena, they were able to go home satisfied as the encore featuring Bed on Fire (featuring Olivia Kuper Harris), Goodbye’s Been Good to You and The Door completed the set on a grand note.

A Teddy Swims concert is more than a concert – it is an experience. Whether through his humble personality, his deep connection with his supporters, his love for his band or his superb live vocals, he ensures that every moment is special. This sold-out show proved that his quick rise to fame is well deserved and that Teddy Swims is an unforgettable name.

Taryn Crowley
Photos: Guifre de Peray

For further information and future events visit Teddy Swims’s website here.

Watch the video for the single As You Even Real here: