Teddy Swims Brought Soul, Scars, and Swagger to the City of Brotherly Love

Philadelphia is no stranger to soul music, but on May 18, Teddy Swims gave the genre a fresh, fearless twist under the night sky at the TD Pavilion at the Mann. Originally slated for the Highmark Skyline Stage, the show was relocated to the Pavilion due to overwhelming demand — an upgrade that Swims didn’t just rise to, but owned with every ounce of heart, grit, and vocal firepower he could muster.

Swims, whose breakout has been powered by a remarkable blend of soul, pop, rock, and R&B, brought his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour to town with the kind of vulnerability that doesn’t just fill a venue — it fills a void. Backed by his incredibly tight band Freak Freely, and a rotation of powerhouse vocal guests, he delivered a 24-song set that felt less like a performance and more like a public reckoning — with love, loss, and everything in between.

He hit the stage with “Not Your Man,” kicking off the night with swagger and raspy bravado. From there, “Hammer to the Heart” and fan favorite “Apple Juice” rolled in like a one-two punch of nostalgia and raw honesty. Swims is a rare performer whose voice can wrap itself around a lyric and make it bleed — and bleed he did, all night long.

By the time he reached “She Loves the Rain,” the emotional intensity had deepened. Then came “Are You Even Real,” a stunning duet with Devin Velez that slowed the pace and raised the stakes. Their harmonies felt intimate and aching, a moment of hushed beauty in a show filled with bombast and boldness.

But Swims doesn’t stay in one lane for long. That emotional arc turned sharply with the funk-infused “Devil in a Dress” and the darkly anthemic “Funeral,” one of the evening’s most haunting highlights. As his gravelly voice cut through the humid air, it was clear that this tour wasn’t about polished perfection — it was about truth.

One of the most striking elements of Swims’ show is his generosity. Rather than hog the spotlight, he shares it freely. Jemila Richardson lit up “Black & White” with powerhouse vocals and gospel energy, elevating the track into a cathartic celebration. Olivia Kuper Harris, a frequent collaborator, joined for a barn-burning “Bed on Fire” during the encore, nearly stealing the show with her blistering vocals and dynamic chemistry with Swims.

In between, Swims offered moments of levity and connection. His banter was relaxed and personal — thanking fans for selling out the larger venue, nodding to Philly’s deep musical roots, and cracking jokes about turning heartbreak into a full-blown touring career. “At this point,” he laughed, “music might be cheaper than therapy, but it’s not easier.”

The emotional centerpiece of the night came with the back-to-back performances of “What More Can I Say” and “911,” which brought a hush over the pavilion. These songs hit hard not because of vocal acrobatics — though Swims has plenty of those — but because of the raw, unfiltered way he delivers them. There’s no posturing here. Swims means every word.

He surprised many with a soulful cover of ILLENIUM’s “All That Really Matters,” bringing an EDM track into his wheelhouse with ease and authenticity. Later, his stripped-back version of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” drew some of the loudest cheers of the night. It was a reminder that Swims is not limited by genre — he’s only limited by the size of the stage, and even that seems negotiable.

After a raucous run through “Your Kind of Crazy” and “Lose Control,” Swims exited briefly before returning for a three-song encore. “Thank you for showing up. Not just tonight, but for real — for me,” he told the crowd before closing with the aching ballad “The Door.” Alone in the spotlight, his voice soaring into the rafters, it was a final, fragile goodbye that felt both intimate and expansive.

As fans filed out into the Philadelphia night, many lingered in silence, holding onto the emotion that Swims so generously shared. Some concerts entertain. This one resonated.

Teddy Swims’ I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy tour stop in Philadelphia was more than a concert — it was a soul revival. In a venue filled with thousands, he made it feel personal. In a city known for musical legends, he carved out a space all his own. Unfiltered, unafraid, and unforgettable — Swims is the real deal.