Concerts Reviews
Teddy Swims Brings the Fire and Feels to Laval – Live Review
On May 24th, 2025, a rainy day in Laval, Quebec, Teddy Swims took the stage at a sold-out show at Place Bell to begin his 11th stop of the I Tried Everything But Therapy Tour. The show kicked off with “Not Your Man” the opening track of his latest album I Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), and the crowd immediately roared to life and sang along. Wearing a combination of a stunning long, red jacket, a white tank top, a Scottish-style yellow tartan skirt and cheetah-print Doc Martens, Swims continued the set with a powerful performance of the crowd-favourite “Hammer To The Heart”, proving the tour to be more than just a concert, but also an emotional performance of powerful vocals that provide a deep connection to the audience who sing along and feel to every word.
Teddy Swims first gained attention in 2019 through his heartfelt covers on YouTube, which showcased his powerful voice and musical style. His early covers of songs like “Someone You Loved” resonated with a wide audience, and slowly led to his rise in the music industry. In 2023, Swims released his debut studio album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) which featured one of his most popular songs “Lose Control.” The album delved into themes of heartbreak and self-reflection, drawing from his personal experiences. Following up with I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) in 2025, he collaborated with artists like Giveon and Muni Long. Through his music, Swims has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and his journey toward mental health recovery, and his ability to be so candid about something so vulnerable has resonated with fans and critics alike.
This is Teddy Swims’ third time performing in Quebec, the first being at Théâtre Beanfield in Montreal, and the second being at Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal.
It is impossible to forget about Swims’ band, “Freak Freely”, who accompany the singer with guitar, drums, keys, and backup vocalists. Made up by Jairus Hardge on the keys, Jesse Hampton and Addy Maxwell on guitar, Christian Griswald on bass, and DeAndre Hemby on drums, the band provides just as much energy and soul as Swims, with beautiful displays of musical talent, like electric guitar riffs and drum solos.
As the setlist continued, the stage lit up with pyro during a performance of “Funeral”, which had the audience in awe at the special effects. Teddy Swims did an excellent job at keeping the crowd engaged throughout the night. The show provided a stunning stage set, complete with shining lights, red curtains and stairs up to a higher platform, as well as dynamic display screens on the jumbotron that matched with what song was playing. However, the real star of the show was Teddy Swims’ vocals, which were powerful and on-point for the duration of the night.
Midway through the set, Swims performed a beautiful rendition of his song with ILLENIUM, “All That Really Matters”. Fans held up their phone flashlights, swaying back and forth to the music, creating a sea of light and community. As an avid concert-goer, this is always my favourite moment in a set. It truly shows how music can unite, despite an individual’s background and identity. The moment certainly left an impact on Swims, as he broke down into teary sobs, expressing how he wished the crowd could see the lights from his point of view, and how he’ll never take these moments for granted and is endlessly grateful to the audience for allowing him to do what he does. It was a beautifully genuine moment of the otherwise energetic and lively night.
However, there were a few comedic moments as well, as during the set, the singer climbed the stairs back to his higher-level platform where a prop toilet was waiting for him. As he sang while he sat, fans laughed, not expecting what was to come! Getting up, Swims reached over and picked up fake feces, laughing at the shock on the crowds face. Then, he threw a piece into the crowd, which had everyone laughing, and one lucky fan having a very strange prop to bring home as a souvenir!
19 songs into the set, Swims explained the “Jukebox” part of the set, where he randomly picks a letter from A-H and a number from 1-4, and each combination refers to a different cover he has the chance to play. Laval’s pick was “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson! This was a huge hit with the crowd, and the energy continued as the set led to one of his most popular songs “Lose Control”, and as sparklers rained down on the set, the volume of voices proved that every fan in the venue knew the words.
Coming back for a 3 song encore, first performing “Bed on Fire”, and then moving on to a rock-like, electrifying performance of “Goodbye’s Been Good To You”. The set ended with Teddy Swims’ second popular hit, “The Door”, and once again, every fan in the room screamed and danced to each word. As orange confetti rained over the crowd, Swims and his band took their final bows, as Swims thanked the crowd in a way that truly felt genuine and heartfelt. After taking some time to sign a few items from people in the front row, Teddy left the stage.
Fans headed out of the venue, holding pieces of merchandise such as shirts, hoodies and hats, and completely buzzing with excitement after such a powerful night. From the multi-talented band, Freak Freely, the elaborate stage design and comedic moments, tearful and heartfelt speeches, and Teddy Swims powerful voice, singing to songs that so many in the room could connect to in some way, this was a concert that no one will forget any time soon.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Ashley Bellam
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Goldfinger Keep the Pit Moving and the Shoes Flying in Vancouver
On April 17th, the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver felt like a ska-punk time warp, with California punk legends Goldfinger supporting their new album, Nine Lives.
Sullvn got things rolling with a set that didn’t waste any time. Within minutes, hats were flying into the crowd like it was a merch-based game show, and the vibe quickly turned into organized chaos. They brought to the stage Dicky Barrett, former frontman of Mighty Mighty Bosstones for their hit “Raise a Glass”.
Next up was Broadway Calls, proving once again that a three-piece can absolutely shake a room. Their brand of fast, hooky punk tore through the crowd, with songs like “Call It Off” and “Back to Oregon” landing like instant jolts of energy. By the time they wrapped, the room was fully ready for Goldfinger.
Right away, frontman John Feldmann started doing crowd math. “How many of you are under 20?” A few scattered hands. “Over 40?” A lot more hands. He laughed and proudly stated that to still be doing this 32 years later as the best feeling in the world. This wasn’t a band clinging to nostalgia… but they also weren’t about to ignore it.
From there, it turned into the kind of chaos Goldfinger shows are known for, a non-stop blur of songs, crowd surfers, and, of course, the sacred tradition of shoes flying through the air. Somewhere along the way, footwear stopped being optional and started being part of the performance. Pairs were held up like trophies, launched across the room, or lost to the pit entirely. If you managed to leave with both shoes still accounted for, honestly, that’s a personal victory. The setlist leaned into exactly what people wanted. “Here in Your Bedroom,” “Chasing Amy” “Counting the Days”, all the hits, all loud, all sung back at the band like it was a group project. The floor barely stayed still for more than a few seconds, and the security team definitely got their steps in from the steady stream of crowd surfers.
During “Mable,” they pulled fans up on stage to dance, turning the whole thing into a slightly chaotic, very wholesome party. And then… “Superman.” The reaction was instant. Like, no hesitation, full-body nostalgia. The second it started, it felt like half the room got mentally transported back to playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 in their living rooms. Suddenly, everyone knew every word (even the ones they probably didn’t know they knew), and the energy somehow went up another level. It wasn’t just a highlight, it was the moment.
When it wrapped at the Commodore Ballroom, the place was wrecked in the best way – sweaty, shoeless, and buzzing. Still, no one seemed in any hurry to leave.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
GOLDFINGER
BROADWAY CALLS
SULLVN
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Face to Face with Sevendust in Riverside, Iowa
For close to thirty years, Hard Rock’s Sevendust has graced hundreds of stages all over the world, playing sell-out shows to rabid fans. The band, fronted by LaJon Witherspoon, has been recognized for its soulful vocals, hard-hitting riffs from Clint Lowery and John Connolly, thumping bass from Vince Hornsby, and monstrous drum sounds and screams from Morgan Rose. Riverside, Iowa was treated to the full Sevendust experience on Friday night.
The Riverside Casino Event Center has played host to events ranging from poker tournaments to keynote speakers, but on Friday it served as the setting for an amazing night of rock. The show started off with Iowa City–local band NonGrata. NonGrata has become very well known in the Eastern Iowa music scene, having opened for bands like Alien Ant Farm, Norma Jean, Archers, and will be opening for DED this summer. Blending groovy guitars with crisp clean vocals and harsh screams, the band delivers a sound that makes you want to jump out of your seat and stage dive. Although Sevendust was the main attraction on Friday night, everyone enjoyed NonGrata. They were a great choice to open the show and get people excited before Sevendust took the stage. NonGrata will be playing shows in Eastern Iowa throughout the year, and Midwest locals should take the chance to see a new band.
After an hour pre-show delay due to the weather, fans were itching to get out of their seats as anticipation for Sevendust taking the stage rose. Riverside was the second show of the One Tour, but there was no sign of early tour woes as the band broke right into Home. The 1999 track off the album of the same name was a great opener, carrying a hint of nostalgia and a whole lot of feeling. Witherspoon made an early effort to cross from side to side, ensuring every fan had the opportunity to interact with him. Stage presence is always among the highlights of a Sevendust show. Fans know they are going to get two things when they go to a Sevendust show: amazing music and plenty of interaction. The great music kept rolling as the second track of the night was a crowd favorite, Denial. The band was joined by hundreds of backup singers who knew every word, creating an ambiance that added essential energy to the environment.
The band seemed emotional in response to how well they were received by the Riverside crowd. After spending significant time in Europe to start the year, Sevendust said it was good to be home. Because these were among the first U.S. shows of the year, American fans had not yet had the opportunity to hear songs from the band’s upcoming album, One, live. The first chance came with the third song of the night, Is This the Real You. Although the Riverside crowd had never heard the song live, that did not stop them from singing along. Sevendust also played two other new tracks from the forthcoming album, Unbreakable and Threshold. Both sounded great live, and anticipation for the new album is high. Based on the reactions to the new material, the album will likely be well received when it comes out in two weeks on May 1.
The focus on new music did not stop Sevendust from breaking into its classics. The setlist was full of songs a Sevendust show would be incomplete without; Praise, Enemy, Waffle, and Black all had their place in the night. It truly was the complete Sevendust experience. The night could not end, however, without an encore of Rumble Fish and Face to Face. Even though the crowd was treated to a 15-song main set and a two-song encore, they still yearned for more. Unfortunately, all good shows must come to an end, but with 25 dates left on the One Tour, there will be plenty of opportunities to see Sevendust again this year.
One comes out May 1.
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming tour dates:
4/20 – Indianapolis, IN
4/21 – Lexington, KY
4/22 – Birmingham, AL
4/24 – Mobile, AL
4/25 – Destin, FL
4/26 – Atlanta, GA (supporting Alter Bridge)
4/28 – Dallas, TX
4/29 – Oklahoma City, OK
More information on the band’s website.
SEVENDUST
NONGRATA
All Photo Credit: Ryan Renger