It’s hard to believe that Teddy Swims’ main platform of musical expression used to be via singing covers and making them their own via his YouTube channel.
Music fans endured crazy torrential rain before reaching the iconic Rod Laver Arena to see the first of Teddy Swims’ three sold-out concerts of his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour. For Teddy Swims, this was the return to one of his favourite tour destinations in the world. In fact, he’s been chillin’ and kicking it in our fair country since he performed earlier this month on October 5th at the 2025 NRL Grand Final, before also making an appearance at SXSW Sydney. Now, Teddy Swims is finally in Melbourne, and let me tell you, not only was he worth the wait, but he was well worth braving the heavy rain for.
After being supported by the superbly talented local act, Matt Corby, who Swims describes as a “fucking dreamboat”, Teddy Swims manifested on an elevated platform, diving straight into the formidably catchy track, ‘Not Your Man’. Accompanied by an eight-piece band and after seamlessly transitioning into the tune ‘Hammer to the Heart’, Teddy Swims warmly greeted his sold-out and dedicated Melbourne audience that, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s great to be back in the best damn country in the world.” Swims went on to express gratitude for having the best job in the world – being an artist – and to be on tour with his best friends.
Throughout the evening, Rod Laver Arena was filled with chill vibes and excellent music. Teddy Swims has a commanding, captivating yet comforting stage presence. Every song was performed with a warm, effortless, artistic and passionate energy. Admittedly, I had never seen Swims before, but my face hurt from smiling so much.
While Swims has no bad songs, the songs that stood out included ‘Devil in a Dress’, ‘Bad Dreams’ and ‘Funeral’. During ‘911’, Teddy Swims even took a fan’s phone and filmed himself singing. This was a constant throughout the night with Swims interactive with those patrons lucky enough to be front row. I found myself studying Swims effortlessly sing while also signing for fans simultaneously, including during the song ‘Guilty’.
Affectionately sharing that his family were here tonight in Melbourne, Swims advised fans to please “tell your mum they’re your superhero” and to answer the phone when they call. He then sung ‘Need You More’ and Melbourne patrons were inspired to shoot up their arms in the air, making artificial stars across the Melbourne arena which slowly swayed to the number. Straight after, Swims graciously thanked his fans for their ‘stars’.
Highlights of the evening included when Swims surprised audiences with a gorgeous rendition of ‘Small Hands’ dedicated to his son, a stripped back version of dance number ‘All That Really Matters’, a duet and live debut of ‘Gone Gone Gone’ with Australia’s Tones and I, and a cover of Shania Twain’s ‘You’re Still the One’, chosen through a random jukebox lottery draw process. Apparently, the song changes every night, which is really cool.
However, my favourite moment of the evening was when Teddy Swims sung ‘Some Things I’ll Never Know’, expertly turning pain into poetry. Although, one of the most unusual moments of the concert was when Swims emerged on a toilet seat to sing ‘Your Kind of Crazy’, which I guess is lyric and song title wise is quite fitting, but this also showcased just how laid back, fun and unserious Teddy Swims’ brand is, all whilst also showcasing his impressive vocal prowess and lyrical depth.
Kicking into ‘Lose Control’ before disappearing and returning for his encore which included ‘Bed on Fire’, ‘Goodbye’s Been Good to You’ and ‘The Door’, Teddy Swims told the Melbourne crowd, “This is your last chance to get funky!” which inspired the remaining seated patrons to spring up onto their feet and dance.
Despite Teddy Swims having song titled ‘She Loves the Rain’, well Melbourne really didn’t during that torrential down pour on the way to the concert. But making it through the heavy Melbourne rain to see this talented American singer-songwriter perform live? Totally worth it. 100% would see this talented man again.
Having already visited two cities in New Zealand, as well as Sydney and Brisbane, Teddy Swims performed in Melbourne on Wednesday October 22nd at Rod Laver Arena as part of his 2025 I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour, proudly presented by Frontier Touring. He plays in Melbourne for three shows, with another two on Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th of October, before heading to Adelaide next on Monday the 27th of October at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena before concluding the Australian tour at RAC Arena on Wednesday October 29th in Perth.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.frontiertouring.com/teddyswims
https://www.teddyswims.com
https://www.instagram.com/teddyswims
Photography by Bryce Hall.
