Teddy Swims Casts Spell Over Sold-out Scarborough Open Air Theatre [Photos]

You could say that, out of all of the acts appearing this Summer at Scarborough Open Air Theatre, the arrival of American superstar Teddy Swims is one of the ones that has caused the most excitement. Performing two sold-out dates at the seaside town, the appearance of the star on the 2026 line-up promised to be a night to remember, and, unsurprisingly, Swims made sure he delivered the goods.

Opening for Swims was New Zealand singer-songwriter Jordan Rakei, who eased this sold-out crowd into the night with a chilled-out thirty-minute set. Playing to a venue that was already packed to the rafters, Rakei played an effortless, laid-back set, fitting in a new song, “Enemy,” while dedicating “Eye To Eye” to music legend Jeff Buckley.

You often wonder how many of the big American stars who perform at this stunning outdoor venue have actually ever heard of Scarborough when it appears on their schedule. What is certain, though, is that by the time they walk off stage, this seaside town has won their hearts. The gentle giant that is Teddy Swims is no different, with the singer stating his love for the town early on in his twenty-three-song set. More understated than his arena tour last year, Swims still put on a spectacle for fans with a full band, backing singers, and a few ramps and podiums.

Kicking off with “The Door,” Swims shows himself to be a powerhouse of a vocalist with a range that is second to none. Blending pop, rnb, and soul, the likes of “She Loves The Rain,” new single “Break Up In Reverse,” and his hit single “Lose Control,” wash over a fanbase who hang off every word. “Make sure you drink lots of water and keep hydrated,” comments Swims during a break in the set while his cover of Van Halen classic “Jump” is another nice touch.

An entertainer as well as a singer, Teddy Swims ticks all the boxes, and with his lyrics dealing with relationship breakups, mental health, and loss, it is easy to see why he has won the hearts of millions of fans the world over. His connection with his fans on a personal and emotional level is undeniable and, as he walks off stage after this first night in Scarborough, he has left as much of a mark on this crowd as Scarborough has left on him.

Teddy Swims Setlist:

1. The Door
2. Hammer to the Heart
3. Are You Even Real
4. Funeral
5. She Loves the Rain
6. What More Can I Say
7. 911
8. God Went Crazy
9. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
10. Goodbye’s Been Good to You
11. Apple Juice
12. Bad Dreams
13. Black and White
14. Simple Things
15. Some Things I’ll Never Know
16. Break Up in Reverse
17. Somethin’ ’Bout a Woman
18. Mr. Know It All
19. Jump
20. All That Really Matters
21. Bed on Fire
22. Guilty
23. Lose Control