Teddy Swims’ sultry Raleigh performance has locals speculating about a future population spike in nine months of babies named “Teddy.”
On a truly beautiful night, Raleigh, NC, was treated to an evening of bringing the sexy back. Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh’s fantastic downtown outdoor amphitheater, hosted the I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour starring Teddy Swims. The sold-out crowd filled the venue seats after first visiting the beer vendors, setting up an evening of good, clean, sexy, and slightly drunk fun.
Diamond Cafe opened the show with a small band but a whole lot of 1980s throwback when Prince was the sexiest man alive and synthesizers were all the rage. Unabashedly flaunting his self-proclaimed sex appeal, Tristan Thompson, who is the artist known as Diamond Cafe, showed Raleigh he came as a lover, not a fighter. Tristian has an exceptional soprano voice, a gift that once emphasized over his over-the-top stage persona, should propel Diamond Cafe into a more familiar and mainstream name. Occasionally strapping on a guitar for a song, Tristan quickly shed the extra baggage because it slowed down his hip-thrusting, lip-pursing, chest-thrusting mating dance of a performance. Diamond Cafe was an excellent choice indeed as an opening act, for they set the mood well for the evening.
Teddy Swims has an eye for stage setup. Sexy, indirect lighting from the back and sides, risers and ramps around the back side of the stage, and platforms to highlight his excellent band framed the entirety of the stage. Opening the show high on his rear riser, like a king overlooking his kingdom, Teddy’s smooth voice immediately pulled the audience in close and brought the venue to its feet and to the top of their lungs. Visually Teddy and the band looked like a late-night nightclub band bringing their small stage, smoke filled room show to the large stage.Backed by a trio of backing singers, Teddy and the band were tight in sound and casual in attitude, appearing nonchalantly confident in their ownership of the stage. Teddy was unquestionably the focus, yet he did not constantly steal the spotlight. Often Teddy turned his back to the audience for guitar solos and to admire his backup singers, giving them the space to perform and attention they deserved. Based on stage appearance alone, Teddy’s band appeared to be very happy to be on stage performing with him, and their enthusiasm could be felt throughout the venue.
Wearing a pinned-on Raleigh patch on the back of his shirt, Teddy appeared to feel right at home right away. “Bad Dreams” began with a fake-left-go-right opening, causing exuberant cheers when the song finally became apparent. The setlist included “Apple Juice,” “It Ain’t Easy,” and “The Door” closed the encore. Teddy’s personal stories and behind-the-scenes insight into where these songs came from and what they meant to him added a deeply personal connection between artist and audience. A connection that was likely therapeutic for everyone.
The sold-out crowd danced in their seats all night long, enjoying the smooth and sensual music and perhaps even became lured into feeling a little bit naughty. Even songs such as “Funeral” which opened with strong and powerful electric guitar still seduced Raleigh to embrace their partners, gaze into their eyes a little longer, and kiss a little harder until the very end.
The lengthy and worldwide I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour continues through October 29, 2025, with the final performance in Perth, Australia.TEDDY SWIMS
Website Facebook X
