Live Review
I’ve been to more concerts than I can count, but something about Teddy Swims’ I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour stop at Red Hat Amphitheater hit differently. Maybe it was the way his voice cracked during the quietest moments, or maybe it was how the entire crowd seemed to breathe in unison with him, but for a couple of hours, it felt like the whole city of Raleigh came together for one giant therapy session. And I mean that in the best way.
The night started with Diamond Café, who I’ll admit I wasn’t familiar with before the show. That changed fast. His retro-inspired blend of synth-pop and R&B was smooth, emotional, and stylish without trying too hard. He had a kind of Prince-meets-The-Weeknd energy: falsetto-heavy, groove-rich, and effortlessly cool. By the end of his set, the sun was going down, the drinks were flowing, and the crowd was ready.
The second Teddy hit the stage, the crowd erupted. He opened with “Not Your Man” and right away, it was clear we were in for something special. His voice: raw, textured, and soulful, cut through the night air like it had something to say. And it did. Every song felt like a confession.
The stage production was great. It was fairly simple, but a tall platform stood to the left where Teddy himself began his set. Once he made his way down, he moved from stage left to right to serenade to audience. There were also the occasional pyrotechnics throughout.
Near the beginning of the set, Teddy played “Apple Juice,” and it was amazing. I’ve listened to the song before and knew some of the words, but hearing it live hit on a different frequency. He told the crowd that he was about to sing a song about alcohol, and many knew what was coming next.
He sang lyrics like “I’m still putting booze in my apple juice / I got no excuse, I’m sad, I’m sad”, and it landed like a gut punch. Not because it was dramatic, but because it wasn’t. It was quiet, gentle, and real, about trying to change, trying to be better, and still feeling the sting of not being enough.
Then there’s that line: “Don’t make me choose ’cause it won’t be you”. It’s such a simple truth, but Teddy doesn’t just sing it, he wears it on his face, in his voice, in the silences between the words. Everyone around me just stood still. No phones. No talking. Just feeling and singing along.
If this tour’s coming anywhere near you, do yourself a favor. Go.
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