When asked to picture a pop star there are a few things that might come to mind – maybe blonde, sparkly costume changes, surprise songs, and elaborate stage designs. Take everything you’ve just pictured and add stretched ears, face tattoos, and an impressive handlebar mustache, and you’ve got Teddy Swims, the soulful singer and songwriter redefining male pop stars. The Georgia-born artist has had a monumental past few years, going from viral YouTube covers in 2019 to Grammy nominations and Billboard broken records in 2025. Following the release of his debut record I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (split into two – Part One in 2023 and Part Two in 2025), Swims has embarked on global tours, collaborated with several major artists, and amassed billions of streams. With the announcement of his highly anticipated sophomore LP, UGLY, releasing January 22nd, 2027 and subsequent arena tour, Swims prepares to usher in a new era. The Ugly Tour kicked off one week ago when it arrived in Columbus at Nationwide Arena on Thursday night, with MarcLo and Mac Ayres as support.

As the lights dim, a janitor appears wearing headphones and sunglasses as he sweeps the stage off. A royal blue curtain disguises the stage, with the tour name, “work in progress,” and “caution” emblazoned across it. The janitor dances with the crowd, hyping them up as the lights finally go out and the curtain drops to reveal a towering three-story set piece to mimic the high rises of Atlanta, Swims’ hometown. The set is covered with easter eggs and details: graffiti depicting a peach and the Atlanta Braves logo, neon signs for The Masquerade and Hotel Clermont, a Peachtree Street road sign. Swims descends from a construction lift as he opens with “The Door,” wearing a suit splattered with paint. He is backed by a five-piece band also known as Freak Feely, consisting of Jairus Hardge (piano), Jesse Hampton (guitar), Addy Maxwell (guitar), Christian Griswold (bass) and DeAndre Hemby (drums), as well as backup singers Devin Velez, Kyana Fanene, and Jemila Richardson. The live band and additional voices provide a beautiful depth to Swims’ sound, a blend of soul, rnb, and pop – an old-school vibe with modern production.     

Despite the enormity of the production and the venue, Swims gives off a genuine, down-to-earth vibe, providing plenty of audience participation. Prior to the show there had been qr codes posted for fans to vote for a song not on the setlist that they wanted to hear; Columbus voted for “She Loves the Rain.” The qr codes returned later in the set when Swims performed two new, unreleased tracks: “The Rain,” a slow, soulful number, and “Cut Me Loose,” an upbeat pop track. Swims requested the audience vote on their favorite, a way to gauge what a real life audience enjoys rather than streams and numbers. He also keeps things lighthearted, taking time throughout the show to respond to fans’ signs, give autographs, and take selfies. However, the biggest set highlight was easily during “Devil in a Dress,” as he is joined on stage by Columbus drag icon Nina West to fire hot dogs into the crowd.

For all of the upbeat and silly moments Swims also connects with his audience at several heartfelt moments too. During a handful of slower songs he comes to the end of the catwalk with just him, his pianist, his guitarist, and a spotlight, creating a calm, intimate moment. He thanks the audience for being there and supporting live music, allowing him to play with his band, who he calls his best friends. Each of his band members gets highlighted throughout the night, as well as his backup singers, who each join him for a solo during a song. Swims expresses his gratitude several times:  

“You saved my life, you changed my life, you made my life so special, and i’m so grateful.”

While the tour’s purpose is largely to bring in a new era, featuring new singles “Mr. Know-It-All” and “Perfect Man,” it also serves as an homage to his past. Swims was picked up by a record label following the takeoff of his YouTube covers, anything from Marvin Gaye to The Weeknd to Amy Winehouse. An acknowledgment of how he started, he performs two covers during this set: Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One,” his cover of which currently sits at 277 million views on YouTube, and Van Halen’s “Jump,” which had the whole crowd moving. The Atlanta tributes continue throughout the night as well, with a set change to feature the large skull entrance of The Vortex and a costume change to a bedazzled Braves jacket.

Swims is known for his voice, drawing listeners in with a soaring baritone with an edge of rasp. It’s evident as he closes with his diamond-certified smash hit “Lose Control,” which broke a record for longest-running Billboard 100 hit after spending 112 weeks on the chart. His vocal prowess can’t be overstated as he hits the runs of the chorus with ease, however, it’s his emotional lyricism that connects him with his audience and brings people back. I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy is an honest piece about mental health, love, and heartbreak. With UGLY, Swims promises an equally open record on unattainable perfection standards and human flaws. 

Teddy Swims will continue to tour the US through November.