Teddy Swims brings the soul — and flying hotdogs — to TD Garden

Teddy Swims at TD Garden, Boston, Oct. 9, 2026

Fireworks burst overhead, a fake van appeared to crash into the back of the stage, and a cannon launched hot dogs into the crowd. 

Teddy Swims’ concert, without a doubt, was unforgettable. But even without the elaborate production, Swims’ voice could have carried the entire show, connecting with fans as they belted out his lyrics. 

At TD Garden on Friday night, the singer delivered more than two hours of powerhouse vocals, backed by a full band, three backup vocalists, and a stage that seemed to transform with every song. The spectacle was fun, but the heart of the concert was always the music. 

Swims’ show began with two opening acts. Producer and songwriter MarcLo took the stage around 7 p.m., when the venue was still less than halfway full. His roughly 30-minute set showcased his soulful vocals and warmed up the crowd for the night ahead.

St. Paul and the Broken Bones followed with an almost hour-long set. As more fans filtered into the arena, the eight-piece Alabama soul band brought the energy up another notch. Frontman Paul Janeway wore a sparkling red sequined robe and showed off his sky-high falsetto, while smoke machines and the band’s impassioned performances made for an electrifying set.

Swims finally took the stage at 9 p.m., descending onto the stage on a platform integrated into the multilevel set as he launched into his hit song “The Door.” The dramatic entrance set the tone for a show that rarely did anything halfway.

The setlist balanced familiar hits with deeper cuts, giving longtime fans plenty to sing along to while keeping the night from feeling entirely predictable. Swims even performed two unreleased songs, “The Rain” and “Cut Me Loose,” ahead of the Jan. 22 release of his upcoming album, “UGLY.”

Still, the pacing occasionally dragged. Several slow songs came back-to-back, making parts of the set feel longer than necessary. Swims’ commanding stage presence helped keep the audience engaged, but a little more variety in the pacing would have made the show even stronger.

One of the night’s highlights was an acoustic segment featuring songs selected by fans through pre-concert voting. Letting the audience shape parts of the setlist made the performance feel more personal, as if Swims were putting on a show specifically for Boston rather than simply checking another city off his tour schedule. 

That connection extended beyond the song choices. Throughout the concert, Swims moved around the stage, belting out soaring notes while signing fans’ album covers, T-shirts, jackets, tote bags, and hats. He managed to make a performance in a packed arena feel surprisingly intimate, even as fireworks and elaborate stage effects filled the space around him.

He also made room for his band to shine. The drummer delivered a thunderous solo that seemed ready to send the drum kit flying, and the guitarist took center stage for an extended showcase of his own. Swims’ three backup vocalists also had moments to step forward, both individually and alongside him. 

Their harmonies were particularly striking during “Bad Dreams,” when the trio blended beautifully. The arrangement gave the audience a chance to sit back and appreciate their vocal chemistry. Their microphones could have been louder, though, but their talent was unmistakable. 

And the vocals, overall, is what made the concert work. Swims sang with an emotional intensity that was visible even from across the arena. His occasional goofy dancing added to his charm, too. There were no backup dancers, but none were needed. Swims had enough personality to command the stage on his own. 

The production, however, was a spectacle in its own right. Inspired by Atlanta’s punk and rock scene and Swims’ musical roots, the multilevel stage combined bohemian and punk aesthetics with rough-around-the-edges details. A graffiti-covered pay phone, a vintage hot dog stand, and a sign for Atlanta’s Masquerade music venue gave the set a lived-in feel. 

At one point, the production took an especially absurd turn when a cannon launched hot dogs into the arena. It was certainly more memorable than the usual T-shirt toss, and hot dogs are a fun novelty, but they also leave the entire arena smelling like a concession stand.

The biggest drawback to the concert was the length. With two opening acts and Swims’ own set, the night stretched beyond four hours. The extended performance gave fans plenty of time to enjoy his vocals, but a tighter setlist could have preserved the energy without sacrificing the best moments.

For all its high-tech moments and elaborate stage tricks, the concert’s greatest strength was much simpler. Swims has the voice, charisma, and connection with his audience to make an arena feel personal. The production may have made the show impressive, but his vocals were what made it worth remembering.

Setlist for Teddy Swims at TD Garden — Oct. 9, 2026

1. The Door 
2. Hammer to the Heart 
3. Are You Even Real
4. Funeral 
5. What More Can I Say
6. 911
7. Mr. Know It All 
8. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
9. Devil in a Dress 
10. Bad Dreams 
11. Gone Gone Gone 
12. She Loves the Rain (crowd suggestion) 
13. dose (crowd suggestion) 
14. Some Things I’ll Never Know 
15. Perfect Man 
16. Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman 
17. Just Like The Rain (unreleased) 
18. Cut Me Loose (unreleased) 
19. Jump (cover of song by Kris Kross) 
20.  All That Really Matters 
21. Break Up in Reverse
22. You’re Still the One 
23. Bed on Fire 
24. Goodbye’s Been Good to You 
25. Lose Control