Amber and teal lights reflected off the glitter on Teddy Swims’ face while he performed on the Which Stage at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday. It was his return to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival after a 2022 set on the What Stage, and this year, he welcomed fans with rainbow TV static on Which Stage’s big, bright monitors.
The Which Stage filled with smoke from fog machines as Teddy Swims entered the stage’s rustic, urban fake-house set. There were multiple platforms decorated with old furniture, a TV and a couch, plus a coffee table that held pride flags.
“Love is love, I’m glad we agree,” Swims said. “Happy Pride Month ‘Roo.”
The artist was clad in a white jersey that had an image of a stickman in the water, rainbow spray-painted numbers and “Swims” across the back. Swims embraced Pride Month and filled the stage with small details of rainbows: rainbow flags on the coffee table, a rainbow on a pin on his denim hat and many more throughout the entire set.
The singer grasped his brass knuckles on the mic while he sang a powerful ballad, as his backup singers and dancers sat on the set’s couch.
“It is also Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month,” Swims said. “I just generally like level with you and say that you saved my life, thank you so much for everything you’ve given to me.”
During the performance, Swims encouraged the audience to stay hydrated and he personally drank out of a big white bottle with a label that said: “definitely not bleach… do not drink.”
Swims sang soulfully while standing next to a tattooed body mannequin mic stand and the audience swayed with their hands up, admiring the back screen that was filled with storm clouds. He then played “She Loves the Rain,” a song from his new album, “I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2).” Directly after Swims started the song, it began to rain.
Swims also sang an unreleased song, “Breakup in Reverse.” Soon after, he covered what he called one of his all-time favorite songs, Van Halen’s “Jump.”
The performance featured pyrotechnics, sparkles and jumping fans, and once it was over, Swims signed a teddy bear and threw it into the left side of the crowd.
Swims ended the night with his most popular song, “Lose Control.” Directly after, a chaotic wrestling match started onstage featuring chair hits, a crushed table, fighting “referees” and a playful battle between band members. The fight ended with Swims being awarded the “Bonnaroo belt” by a referee, signaling his victory.
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