Review: Teddy Swims at RAC Arena
Teddy Swims at RAC Arena
w/ Matt Corby
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
RAC Arena was packed to the rafters for Teddy Swims’ I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour, his fourth visit down under in as many years, and a clear testament to his ongoing love affair with Australia.
Matt Corby opened the night in near darkness, his name glowing across the side screens while his voice did all the heavy lifting. He opened with gentle acoustic warmth—understated, intimate, and, as always, utterly captivating. His sound sat somewhere between sunshine and heartbreak, each note dripping with that angelic yet earthy signature tone while the band kept low in the shadows, letting Corby take the centre spotlight. As the set unfolded, he unveiled glimpses of his upcoming album, Tragic Magic, while the slick, soulful groove of recent single Burn It Down hinted at an exciting new era for the Australian favourite.
After a quick interlude, DJ Kool’s Let Me Clear My Throat rumbled through the arena as lights rose over the stage, the curtain dropped, and Teddy Swims appeared, mic stand shaped like a naked woman in hand. His eight-piece band, Freak Freely, and trio of backing singers, whom he lovingly referred to as his “best friends in the world,” filled the space with energy.
He tore into Not Your Man with that unmistakable rasp, the kind that crawls under your ribs, and never looked back. Stay With It hit early, the crowd singing along. Later, there was a quick outfit switch into a glitter-dusted trench, and Are You Even Real? had the entire room sparkling with him.
The visuals were pure theatre—a shifting night sky, smoke rolling across the stage, and a floating UFO. During Bad Dreams, he emerged in a long coat and hat, lit like a noir ghost. At one point, he even signed a fan’s sneakers mid-song, a showman and a sweetheart all at once.
He spoke tenderly about his four-month-old son before Small Hands, his voice trembling just enough to remind you that his joy runs as deep as his grief. All That Really Matters followed, then Some Things I’ll Never Know, just him and a piano—pure, unguarded emotion.
From there, Northern Lights and Black and White hit with cinematic contrast before the inevitable eruption, a sprawling piano solo melting straight into Lose Control. It was the catharsis everyone came for. This wasn’t just another sold-out arena show; it was a celebration of how far he’s come.
Equal parts powerhouse and poet, Teddy Swims reminded us that true soul isn’t just sung; it’s lived. And few do it with more honesty or heart.
SARA LEOPARD
Photos by Bryce Hall
