Teddy Swims—a Stroke Of Genius In Manchester

The heavily tattooed body of Teddy Swims might look like the singer should still be in a heavy metal band; that is, until his soulful voice filled the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester in the first of two sold-out concerts in the city.

His journey to stardom has come on fast since appearing on Graham Norton’s Friday night chat show. The pop polymath blends seductive soul, country warmth, fine melody, and rock swagger together that has made the American singer-songwriter one of the hottest names in pop music who is primed to be the world’s next big superstar.

His name might not be familiar to many, but mention his breakthrough hit, Lose Control, and the song resonates with the unacquainted. His appeal, however, is wide; the Manchester audience ranged from teenagers to grandparents. When Swims asked the audience to raise their hands in the air if this was the first time they had seen him live, the response was far greater than those already in the know.

Whereas his first album was rooted in unrest, heartache, and addiction, his new album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), sees Swims in a better and happier place, which was replicated on stage.

Describing his band as “his best buddies in the world” appeared to be an apt description, with the singer and group providing a formidable cohesion, which is just as well considering the current tour is on the road for the majority of this year.

Arriving onstage via a platform on a trapdoor provided a surprise entrance as the singer delivered one of his other most recognisable hits,Not Your Man. Thankfully, the sound levels dropped slightly as the show progressed, with a thudding bass and a heavy guitar threatening to drown out his soulful and emotional vocals, which are often the true essence of Swims’ music.

He has a magnetic stage presence that is also mixed with a down-to-earth friendliness. With at least two costume changes and a near two-hour show, Swims never disappointed with the big hits mixed in alongside popular album tracks.

Despite the unconventional nature of performing Your Kind of Crazy while sitting on a toilet seat, his current popularity suggests that his career is unlikely to falter.

As he concluded with Lose Control and finally The Door, the doors that are open to Swims can only lead to bigger venues, which in his case is now stadiums—don’t be surprised if this time next year he is playing the Etihad next door to tonight’s venue.

Teddy Swims returns to Co-op Live on Sunday, 16th March.