Teddy Swims Balances Jokes And Heartbreak In Vancouver

Teddy Swims turned the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre into his living room on Saturday night. If that living room came with pyrotechnics, a jukebox game, and 5,000 fans singing every word. He even broke the venue record for most tickets sold at a live event! The “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy” tour stop in Vancouver was a mix of powerhouse vocals, goofy antics, and moments so raw they left the singer wiping away tears.

Opener Cian Ducrot warmed up the crowd with an emotional guitar-led set. His Irish charm and conversational style made it feel like he was talking directly to you, even in a packed arena. By the time he closed with “I’ll Be Waiting,” the audience was locked in and ready.

Then came Teddy Swims. With a grin behind his beard, he appeared on stage and jumped straight into “Not Your Man.” The band, Freak Freely, filled the space with thunderous grooves, while the giant ramp behind the band pulsed with colours and shapes. By the second song, “Hammer to the Heart,” the crowd was already screaming.

What makes Swims unique is how he mixes showmanship with total vulnerability. One minute he’s tossing signed toilet paper rolls into the pit while singing “Your Kind of Crazy” from a toilet prop, the next he’s cracking under the weight of “Small Hands,” a tender ballad for his infant son. He confessed he hadn’t figured out how to sing it without breaking down. The arena held its breath, then lifted him up with applause when his voice faltered.

The setlist had range. “Apple Juice” came early, during which Swims ditched his shoes, choosing comfort over formality. “Free Drugs” brought out playful country grit. Covers added unexpected spice: “All That Really Matters” by ILLENIUM; and for the jukebox game, the crowd picked “Sara Smile” by Hall & Oates, and Swims nailed it.

Not everything went according to plan. Twice the show stopped so medical staff could tend to fans who fainted. Swims handled it with care, checking in and reminding everyone of his rule to “keep looking out for each other.” The pauses only reinforced the sense of community he was trying to build.

Highlights piled up: the glittering ballad “Northern Lights,” the soaring “God Went Crazy,” and the cathartic eruption of “Lose Control,” which turned into a massive sing-along and pyrotechnics. By the encore, the audience still had energy to burn. “Bed on Fire” shook the room, “Goodbye’s Been Good to You” tugged at heartstrings, and “The Door” slammed things shut on an emotional high.

Teddy Swims is a performer who doesn’t hide behind theatrics. He uses them to frame the real star of the show: his voice. That voice, raw and raspy, can move from tender whispers to stadium-shaking belts in a heartbeat. But more than that, it’s the way he shares his life, unpolished and unguarded, that connects so deeply. In Vancouver, he gave his all: socks, tears, jokes, and all; and the crowd gave it right back.

Upcoming I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour Dates:
08/31 Seattle, WA – WaMu Theater
09/03 Troutdale, OR – Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
09/05 Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
09/06 South Lake Tahoe, NV – Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena
09/09 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
More information here.

Check out our favourite photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

TEDDY SWIMS

All Photo Credit: Bailey Morgan