The third night of this new series of events arrives, with American superstar Teddy Swims the headliner this evening, and I was keen to see how he would fill the space of Blenheim Palace. It was my first time seeing him live, and the setting added a sense of occasion that made the evening feel special.
Lauren Spencer Smith was on before him - singing mostly about heartbreak and divorce, which is a strong theme in her music. She did a cover of ABBA's "Winner Takes It All" which was a surprising choice, given that her own songs are strong enough to hold the set on their own - but six girls in the front row knew every word of her songs, and she called them out from the stage to huge cheers.
Ruti opened proceedings, back for a second night after supporting Alanis Morissette earlier in the week. They introduced their band, said they were genuinely pleased to be there, and warmed the crowd up without any fuss.
Before Teddy Swims took the stage, I was out enjoying a Morrocan Street food bonanza, sat overlooking the picturesque lake of Blenheim Palace, and the sun was setting. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation.
And then the main event. Within a couple of songs of Teddy taking the stage, it was clear why the shows sell out. He has a voice that does things that feel like they shouldn't quite be possible, the blend of soul and pop in a way that makes the songs feel both intimate and grand. The crowd was responsive, singing along, and there was a warmth that made it feel like a shared experience rather than just a performance.
The stage setup was worth clocking. His backing singers were settled on what looked like a leather sofa under a round light fixture, and during "Bad Dreams" he was up there too, lounging through the opening verse before the song picked up and he stood up. The naked-figure microphone stand and the brass-knuckle handheld mic are the kind of details that show even the small touches are considered.
He dedicated a song to men's mental health. Speaking briefly about vulnerability, about opening up. "I love you so much," he said, "you saved my life" - a real sense of emotion when saying this. Later, he told the crowd, "If you have someone special with you, it's time to get some bodily warmth," before announcing a love song. That mix of sincerity and straightforward humour held through the whole set.
The Van Halen cover of "Jump" - turned up near the end and earned its place. His band, who he introduced along the way, were clearly enjoying it as much as anyone. "Lose Control" closed things out the way it probably does every night, with the crowd taking over large sections of it whether invited to or not. He thanked everyone with, "You sound amazing - thanks for singing with me".
Walking out through the grounds after the show, it was clear that the evening had landed. The mix of soul, pop, and rock, the intimacy of the setting, and the way he engaged with the audience made it a memorable night, overhearing the crowd talking about the songs and the performance as they left. It was a show that felt like it was made for the space, and for the people there.
Photo credit: Russ Fujak
