Teddy Swims beams in the Sunshine with style and soul, at Lytham Festival
- Michael Bond
- 16 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Lytham Festival – 1st July 2026
WORDS / IMAGES MICHAEL BOND
Lytham Green is already buzzing long before Teddy Swims takes to the stage. As the Lancashire coastline basks in another warm summer evening, thousands gather with drinks in hand, waiting for one of soul music's biggest success stories to deliver another stunning show.
Swims has spent the past year proving that his breakthrough wasn't built on a single hit. His recent run of sell out arena shows and outdoor performances has established him as an artist perfect for nights like tonight, where his huge, gospel-soaked voice carries effortlessly across vast festival fields. Tonight, backed by the ever-tight Freak Freely, he once again demonstrates why his reputation as one of modern music's finest live vocalists continues to grow.
Opening the evening, Jordan Rakei provides the perfect introduction. His sophisticated blend of soul, jazz and alternative R&B initially asks for the audience's attention rather than demanding it, but by the end of his set he has definitely won over new fans.
Supported by his band, Rakei's musicianship is exceptional. His intricate guitar work and smooth vocals create a calming atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the bigger pop moments to come later in the evening. Songs unfold patiently, allowing the groove to develop naturally, while his understated stage presence gives the music room to breathe.
His performance feels tailor-made for this early evening festival slot, easing the audience into the night without ever sacrificing quality. For many, this is undoubtedly an introduction to an artist whose catalogue deserves much wider recognition.
Next to take to the stage is Lauren Spencer Smith, as she continues the evening's upward trajectory with a set packed full of emotionally charged pop anthems. With one of the strongest young voices in pop, she immediately connects with the audience through songs that explore heartbreak, resilience and vulnerability.
Her vocals are consistently impressive, effortlessly moving from delicate verses to soaring choruses that fill the festival site. Between songs she begins to build a rapport with the crowd, balancing humour with genuine gratitude for the opportunity to perform in front of such a large audience.
What stands out most in her show tonight, is the ability to command a festival crowd despite the growing anticipation for the upcoming headliner. By the end of her performance, countless people are singing along, while her biggest songs receive some of the loudest reactions of the evening so far. It is an assured, confident performance that confirms Lauren Spencer Smith is rapidly becoming a headline artist in her own right, rather than simply an excellent support act.
As 9pm rolls round, the lights dip and the opening is immediate. The set starts with The Door, and it arrives with all the emotional weight fans have come to expect, as its soaring chorus fills every corner of Lytham Green. Rather than easing himself into the performance, Swims attacks the opening song with confidence, as his distinctive rasp effortlessly moves between vulnerability and power, and the crowd respond by singing every word back at him.
Without allowing the momentum to drop, Hammer to the Heart is next, bringing a harder edge that showcases the versatility of both Swims and his exceptional band. The rhythm section drives the song forward while the brass and backing vocals provide the rich layers that have become a trademark of his live performances. One of the strengths of Teddy Swims as a performer is his ability to make enormous festival crowds feel surprisingly intimate. Between songs he speaks to the crowd with warmth, humour and complete sincerity, while nothing about his stage persona feels manufactured. Despite playing to thousands, he still comes across as someone amazed that so many people have turned up to see him.
Are You Even Real and Funeral continue the evening's emotional trajectory, with the latter proving especially affective. The haunting arrangement allows Swims to display his vast vocal control, shifting effortlessly from almost whispered verses to towering choruses, as every lyric lands with a captivating conviction.
She Loves the Rain introduces a change of pace into the set. Bathed in warm amber lighting as daylight slowly begins to fade, the song feels perfectly suited to the outdoor surroundings. There is an easy chemistry between Swims and Freak Freely that elevates every arrangement. Rather than just recreating studio recordings, the band stretches songs naturally, adding soulful flourishes and instrumental sections that keep everything feeling fresh.
What More Can I Say and 911 maintain the quality, although it is God Went Crazy that truly showcases the singer's remarkable range. The audience falls almost silent during the verses before the song ends, appreciating not only the writing but the sincerity with which it is delivered.
The middle section of the set expertly balances introspection while still remaining accessible. Goodbye's Been Good to You and Apple Juice offer moments of reflection, while Bad Dreams immediately reignites the audience. The latter has become one of the standout moments during his recent outdoor shows, and tonight is no different. As the chorus echoes across Lytham Green with thousands singing every word in unison.
By the time Black & White arrives, Swims barely needs to sing certain sections himself. As fans enthusiastically take over entire choruses, creating a special festival moment where Swims and the crowd become almost inseparable. He repeatedly steps back from the microphone simply to watch and listen, visibly moved by the response.
Simple Things strips everything back beautifully, allowing the purity of Swims' voice to shine without any distractions, and it’s amazing how effortlessly he moves through complex vocal runs. Some Things I'll Never Know is perhaps the evening's emotional centrepiece, as mobile phone lights illuminate the crowd as the ballad unfolds. Creating a sea of stars beneath the darkening sky. This song stands as a reminder that Swims' greatest strength has never simply been vocal ability but his gift for communicating genuine feeling.
Break Up in Reverse and Somethin' 'Bout a Woman provide fresh energy before the infectious Jump has the entire festival dancing, with every available space transformed into an impromptu dancefloor. This is followed by Mr. Know It All, All That Really Matters and Bed on Fire, continuing an extraordinary run of songs that highlights just how strong his catalogue has become. As the set approaches its conclusion, Guilty delivers another powerhouse vocal performance, allowing Swims to stretch his remarkable range one final time before the inevitable finale.
There’s only one way this evening was going to end. The opening notes of Lose Control are met with deafening cheers. The song that transformed Teddy Swims into an international star still feels every bit as powerful live. The crowd sing almost every lyric, creating one enormous choir stretching the length of Lytham Green. As fireworks illuminate the sky and the final chorus reaches its climax, it becomes clear why this song continues to resonate so strongly. When the final notes fade away, Swims embraces his band before taking a long moment simply to absorb the applause.
Recent outdoor performances have established Teddy Swims as an artist capable of commanding huge festival audiences while keeping an intimacy that made fans fall in love with him in the first place, and Lytham reinforces that reputation. His voice remains extraordinary, but it’s his humility, authenticity and emotional investment that elevate tonight’s performance and perfectly captures why he has become one of the most compelling live performers working today.
SETLIST
1. The Door
2. Hammer to the Heart
3. Are You Even Real
4. Funeral
5. She Loves the Rain
6. What More Can I Say
7. 911
8. God Went Crazy
9. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
10. Goodbye's Been Good to You
11. Apple Juice
12. Bad Dreams
13. Black & White
14. Simple Things
15. Some Things I'll Never Know
16. Break Up in Reverse
17. Somethin’ ’Bout a Woman
18. Jump
19. Mr. Know It All
20. All That Really Matters
21. Bed on Fire
22. Guilty
23. Lose Control
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