On February 13th, not even two weeks after his unforgettable GRAMMYs performance, Teddy Swims brought his ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy’ Tour to Antwerp, Belgium. After performing at Trix twice in 2024, he was now welcomed by more than 5.000 people in the sold-out Lotto Arena. The crowd erupted into loud cheers as the lights dimmed and the band started playing. A heartbeat later, the curtain dropped, and Teddy emerged in the spotlight wearing a long black trench coat with ‘Antwerp’ pinned across its back.
A lot of thought had gone into every detail of the show. A long upward ramp curling around the band ensured Teddy would always be visible. Each song was its spectacle, brought to life with creative visuals, ranging from moody rain to vivid artwork. Surrounding him was his band consisting of five musicians and three soulful backing vocalists. Making sure their talents were on full display, Teddy gave each of them a moment to shine during a solo or a duet with himself.
Between outfit changes, a well-balanced setlist and dynamic visuals, Teddy always kept the audience entertained. The song ‘Funeral’, had the audience singing along loudly and their enthusiasm was rewarded with a surge of flames shooting up from the stage of which the heat could be felt in every corner of the room.
The up-tempo vibes of songs like ‘Devil In a Dress’ and ‘Not Your Man’ gave way to the stripped-back tenderness of intimate ballads like ‘All That Really Matters’ and ‘Some Things I’ll Never Know’. Teddy introduced the latter as a song about truly accepting the things you can’t control. Aside from his crystal-clear vocals, you could hear a pin drop during this song. It was followed by a deafening applause, showcasing the fans’ appreciation for the singer’s amazing performance.
Teddy made sure his fans felt seen throughout the entire show. He waved at every section as soon as he came on stage and took his time to sign some phone cases, took photos with people’s phones and even signed a jacket, all without ever losing control of his vocals. Halfway through the show he reminisced about the days singing covers before the world knew his name and decided to let fans choose the cover of the evening. The combination of a letter and a number – chosen by random people in the crowd – led to ‘What’s going on’.
When his pianist started playing an all-to-familiar intro, the moment fans had been waiting for arrived. As Teddy began singing a jazzy version of his biggest hit ‘Lose Control’, the audience lost themselves in the song, their voices joining his. Showcasing his incredible vocal range he added plenty of ad-libs, giving the crowd a unique experience.
As expected, it was time for the encore. Teddy and his band disappeared backstage, while the crowd cheered, encouraging them to give them a few more songs. Their chants were rewarded with three more songs, ‘Bed On Fire’, ‘Goodbye’s Been Good to You’ and ‘The Door’. As the night ended, Teddy was awarded with a standing ovation while confetti was catapulted into the room.
Written by: Kaat Steukers
Photographed by: Kaat Steukers
Edited by: Ilse Muis
