Concert Review: Teddy Swims Delivers a Spectacular Ugly Tour Performance at Austin's Moody Center
On October 28, Teddy Swims brought The Ugly Tour to Moody Center in Austin, Texas. It was a packed show with immaculate production, honestly some of the best I’ve ever seen.
Opening the night was MarcLo, who took the stage solo with an effortless confidence. Switching seamlessly across the set, he played electric guitar for a few songs, moved to the piano for others, and performed alongside backing tracks, all while showing off some dance moves. He treated the crowd to a mix of hits he wrote for other artists, including Nick Jonas's "Levels," along with a song he co-wrote alongside Teddy Swims himself. Having co-written about 80% of Teddy's music, his performance served as the perfect introduction to the night.
Next up was country rock artist Avery Anna, whose set blended her Nashville songwriting with heavy rock influences. Reflecting on her upbringing, she shared how she grew up listening to rock with her dad, stating she felt like "the biggest outlaw" before making the move to Nashville. Her performance reflected that duality, from singing a cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" directly into a cowboy boot, to an Ozzy Osbourne cover. She previewed a brand-new song called "Roadkill," and sang one of her hits, “Blood Runs Thicker.” She then slowed things down for an acoustic rendition of the song “Why Don’t You Say So,” which she collaborated on with Dexter and The Moonrocks. Before playing it, she admitted she had not even rehearsed with the full band yet because it was so new. At the end of her set, she performed "Indigo," as the entire arena lit up with thousands of phone flashlights.
When Teddy Swims took the stage, the production immediately elevated the night to another level, complete with pyro and towering flames. The stage transformed into an urban construction site, making you feel like you were in Atlanta, Georgia. Industrial steel framework, exposed brick pillars, and scaffolding created multiple levels connected by staircases that he climbed across throughout his performance. The set was rich with authentic local details as well, featuring streetlights, a red stop sign, an official Atlanta City Limit sign, and vintage neon signage that referenced iconic Atlanta spots like the Motor Hotel and Masquerade. Behind the structure, high-definition screens projected the Atlanta skyline surrounded by construction cranes under a blue sky which would later transition into night. It beautifully combined an arena scale production with a personal nod to his hometown roots.
Continuing the fun tradition on this tour of bringing out a special guest at each tour stop, Austin’s guest was comedian Tony Hinchcliffe from Kill Tony. Loading up a hot dog cannon, the duo launched fresh hot dogs (complete with condiments) out into the crowd, drawing plenty of laughs across the arena.
One of the most intimate moments came when Teddy Swims addressed the audience to express his genuine gratitude. He emphasized that he never takes the turnout or support for granted, thanking everyone in the arena for coming out. Earlier in the night, fans scanned QR codes shown on the arena screens to request their favorite tracks. Teddy brought those requests to life by walking out to the end of the catwalk to perform fan-favorite deep cuts, “God Went Crazy” and “She Loves the Rain.”
Midway through the set, a giant skull with glowing eyes came on stage as retro 90s footage of Atlanta played across the screens. Teddy re-emerged in a 90s inspired outfit, wearing an Atlanta Thrashers hockey jacket, which paid homage to his Georgia roots. He treated the audience to a preview of a brand-new track titled "The Rain.” He then sang a fun cover of Van Halen's "Jump," and routinely signed autographs for fans in the pits, all while singing perfectly.
The night also had its share of heartwarming surprises. At one point, Teddy stopped the set and handed the mic over to a fan in the crowd that was trying to get his attention by showing him a picture of a diamond ring on his phone. He then gave him the floor to propose to his girlfriend right then and there. Even though the guy did not have the ring on him, the sheer raw emotion filled the room and made for an incredibly wholesome, unforgettable moment that the entire arena cheered for.
The Ugly Tour is a tour you do not want to miss. From the outfit changes to the amazing production, to his flawless vocals, if you ever have the chance to see him live, it’s a must. Teddy Swims puts on a show that’s unforgettable from start to finish.
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