Teddy Swims at the anthem washington dc

Photos by Tim Kubasik

The atmosphere was electric.

On a steamy evening in Washington, DC, The Anthem pulsed with anticipation, and the emotion was unmistakable — especially from the man center stage.

Teddy Swims, the Grammy-nominated vocalist whose breakout track “Lose Control” has cemented him as one of the most distinctive voices of the decade, laid himself bare in both song and sentiment during his sold-out stop in the nation’s capital.

“I can’t thank you enough for letting me live my dream every single night,” he told the audience with a grin, blending gratitude with the kind of confidence only a seasoned showman can carry.

For close to two hours, the Georgia-born artist (real name Jaten Dimsdale) guided the crowd through a dynamic set, supported by a powerhouse ensemble of eight musicians, showers of sparks, fire blasts, and a setlist pulling from both volumes of his debut record, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy.

But it wasn’t just the spectacle that defined the night — it was the spontaneous moments. Midway through the concert, Swims invited a fan to choose a number, which triggered a giant animated jukebox on the screen. The choice landed on Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” and Swims launched into a silky, groove-filled cover that transformed the venue into a disco for thousands of voices moving in unison.

The evening balanced bombast with intimacy. Early highlights like “Not Your Man” and “Hammer to the Heart” thundered with raw energy, yet it was the stripped-down stretches — where Swims’ raspy, heart-rending tone cut through without distraction — that left the deepest mark.

Ever the people’s performer, he leaned over the barricade to sign mementos mid-song, accepted fan offerings, and gave personal acknowledgments that made the enormous venue feel like a neighborhood gathering. One admirer even presented him with a handmade quilt stitched in tribute to his newborn child — a gesture Swims received with visible appreciation.

Trying to define his music means rattling off a dozen styles — soul, gospel, pop, country, R&B, even shades of rock — all tied together by authenticity. In DC, that authenticity radiated from every lyric, every pyro burst, and every improvised cover.

The Anthem has housed countless memorable shows, but Teddy Swims turned this one into something singular: a communal celebration, an open-hearted confession, and proof that music really can heal.