The first night of Teddy Swims’ “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour” at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 27 was nothing short of unforgettable. Swims transformed the legendary venue into a house of joy, gratitude and cathartic release, leaving the crowd buzzing after the final note.
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The evening opened with Irish singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot making his Red Rocks debut. Though his set was brief, Ducrot made it count, closing by serenading an audience member named Mary before launching into his hit “I’ll Be Waiting.” The crowd’s energy shifted from admiration to anticipation as the stage remained covered for the main event.
Swims, backed by his eight-piece ensemble, took the stage to The Movement’s “Jump.” Shielding his eyes beneath a black cowboy hat and smiling behind his signature beard, he wore a black suit embroidered with red patterns that reflected the themes of the tour. The stage itself was a spectacle — a sweeping ramp curved into the shape of an eye that ascended from graffiti-inspired designs on the floor. Above, a circular screen hovered like a pupil, transforming with each song into portals of light and color that drew the audience deeper into the performance.
He wasted no time setting the tone. Opening with “Not Your Man,” he followed with the electrifying “Hammer to the Heart,” which lit up the amphitheater with energy. Grinning, he asked, “We drinking tonight or we drankin’ tonight?” — a playful moment that broke the ice before shifting into something more emotional.
After “Apple Juice,” Swims paused and removed his orange-tinted sunglasses. Tears welled as he scanned the audience. “Thank you so much for making my dreams come true, y’all,” he confessed, his voice cracking under the weight of the moment. The crowd responded with thunderous cheers, feeding the cycle of gratitude that ran throughout the night.
“She Loves the Rain” unfolded under a light mist that kissed the tops of couples’ heads swaying beneath the indigo night sky. Later, “Are You Even Real” elevated the atmosphere, with gospel-tinged backup vocals filling the open air like a call to praise and surrender.
The emotional centerpiece arrived when Swims spoke of fatherhood before performing “Small Hands,” dedicating the song to his two-month-old son. “That little boy hit the lottery, man. He doesn’t even know how lucky he is yet,” Swims said, admitting he’d probably sob his way through more songs. The audience embraced him, cheering as he pushed forward with honesty and heart.
The setlist offered surprises as well. Swims invited an old friend onstage to fulfill a long-standing promise to perform “Wanted Dead or Alive” together at Red Rocks. His cover of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One” was another unexpected highlight, turning the amphitheater into a massive sing-along that blended nostalgia with joy.
As the night built toward its peak, the emotion was palpable. Songs like “Northern Lights,” “God Went Crazy” and “Your Kind of Crazy” carried the crowd through waves of energy and release, until finally, Swims closed with his biggest hit, “Lose Control.” The anthem surged through the amphitheater, sending fans home buzzing, smiling, and a little teary-eyed.
Teddy Swims’ first night at Red Rocks was more than a concert. It was a milestone, a dream realized in front of thousands. For the audience, it was proof of his power to turn vulnerability into connection, music into therapy, and a night at Red Rocks into an unforgettable celebration of soul.
Photography courtesy of Teddy Swims.