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