Teddy Swims bring's fire and soul to Dubai

The mood swung from ecstatic singalongs to hushed reverence as singer slipped into intimate tracks

- By Zainab Husain Features Writer

Rays of white light sliced through the Coca-Cola Arena as the drummer launched into a heavy thump, guitars began to snarl, and flame jets erupted behind the band. Then, through the smoke and strobes, walked the man of the hour: Teddy Swims. The singer, who dominated global charts last year, brought his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy tour to Dubai and the excitement was unmistakable.

By 8pm, the venue had filled to its corners for the sold-out show. The crowd had already been warmed up by local artist and ‘Dubai boy’ Jay Abo, who won the arena over with an electro-funk, synth-pop and pop-rock mix that set a vibrant tone.

At 9.15pm, the arena fell into complete darkness. One by one, Freak Freely, Swims’ band, took their places. When the intro hit, flashing lights, wailing guitars, pounding drums and bursts of flames, the atmosphere snapped into high voltage.

Swims opened with