Country ace Teddy Swims reveals why he’s ‘grateful’ for failing to make it until his 30s
WITH runaway hit Lose Control in its 18th week in the Top Ten, Teddy Swims has been propelled into the spotlight – and it’s fair to say, this man is going places.
His debut album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy came out late last year in the US, and Teddy says he is grateful his breakthrough came later in life.
He told Virgin Radio DJ and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson: “I think if I would have gotten it any earlier, I don’t think I would have been ready for it.
“I feel like I’m more responsible with this kind of level of notoriety.
“I would have probably just partied way too much if I was younger instead of really being responsible and trying to make it.”
Teddy played his second sold-out show at the Shepherd’s Bush O2 Empire in West London last night and has another date still to go there.
He has proved there is a huge appetite for his incredible, soulful voice and clever lyricism, which shines through on songs Some Things I’ll Never Know and What More Can I Say.
On stage at Shepherd’s Bush, Teddy seemed emotional at the reception from the 2,000 fans who’d crammed in to see him, telling them: “I hope this is a blessing, what I’m about to say.
“Acceptance is worth the journey.”
While he says he is far more sensible these days, Teddy admitted to still needing a bit of Dutch courage before coming out to perform – having a shot of tequila to get him in the mood.
He added: “I’m so lucky that I get to have a safe place like this to be vulnerable and be open.
“I feel like there’s been a safe place made for me and I’m also helping make it a safe place for other people.
“It’s a beautiful job.”
You’re not wrong there, Teddy
CAUGHT LIVE: Craig rewinds clock
★★★★★
FORGET taking a bite of the Big Apple, Craig David ate up the whole thing – and had fans devouring the scraps from the palm of his hand when he played this sold-out night Stateside.
The gig, part of the American leg of his 7 Days Commitment Tour, was one of the best I’ve ever seen, with Craig taking us back to the old school with his biggest hits.
Kicking off with What’s Your Flava?, Re-Rewind and Fill Me In really got the crowd going before Craig’s silky smooth voice shone on tracks such as Rise And Fall and Don’t Love You No More.
Megahit 7 Days was the perfect ending to the evening and cemented Craig as one of the best artists to come out of the UK in the past 30 years.
He turns 44 this May, but like a fine wine, he is only getting better with age.
Daniel Cutts
Nemo, Olly and Baby top charts
EUROVISION is paying dividends for the acts at the top of the leaderboard, with Nemo’s winning song The Code shooting to No1 on the iTunes chart.
Rim Tim Tagi Dim, performed by Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, is at No2, while our entry Dizzy, by Olly Alexander, is at No5.
Over on Spotify, Nemo’s tune was the 17th most streamed song in the world on Sunday after the grand final, which isn’t half bad for someone most people had never heard of the day before.
More than 700,000 videos have been made using the #Eurovision hashtag on TikTok, with The Code’s popularity increasing by 3,245 per cent since the final.
Doomsday Blue, by Ireland’s Bambie Thug, has also won over more fans and the singer has just been confirmed to perform at London’s Mighty Hoopla festival next month.
Bambie’s demonic dancer had to return to work sooner, though.
Matt Williams partied until 6am in Malmo on Sunday, but 24 hours later was back to his day job teaching a pilates class in London.
Bravo!
Ryan’s tall tale
RYAN Reynold’s new red carpet partner is little less glamorous than his wife Blake Lively.
The Hollywood star cuddled up to the imaginary character Blue at the New York premiere of the film IF, which also stars John Krasinski and the formidable Fiona Shaw.
At 6ft 1in, Ryan is on the taller side of most male celebs, who in my experience are normally tiny, but he looks like a shortie standing next to Blue.
Welcome to Tom Cruise’s world, Ryan
Sophie’s flower power
SOPHIE Ellis Bextor is heading to the White Isle this weekend for a special one-off performance.
She is playing as part of the opening of the legendary Flower Power celebrations at Pacha Ibiza on Saturday.
Headed up by resident DJ Bora Uzer and a huge 74 guests across the season, including Grace Jones, Boy George, Robin Schulz, Marco Carola and Camelphat, with star DJs including Roger Sanchez and Peggy Gou, every Saturday clubbers can immerse themselves in the Pacha vibe.
Tickets available now at pacha.com.
Look out for us on the dancefloor.
Back in full moon
JOHN Lydon was back in full Johnny Rotten mode at a Q&A with Sex Pistols fans – mooning the audience.
Coming on the second night of his I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right tour in London, it had fans in hysterics.
One told me: “I couldn’t believe it. John said he hadn’t washed his underpants for a year and that they had lots of skidmarks. To prove it John mooned the audience.”
The singer went on to recall some of the best moments he had with the punk band, as well as precious memories with his late wife Nora.
The show ended on a high with a karaoke version of Sex Pistols hit Anarchy In The UK.
Suiks you, Suki
PUT your hands up if you love Sesame Street.
Suki Waterhouse certainly seems to be a fan in this Big Bird-style pink jacket.
The model turned singer seemed to be having a great time as she filmed a TV advert in New York dressed in the fluffy pink get up with matching trousers and a pair of white heels.
Suki is riding high on her music career at the moment and smashed the Coachella festival in California when she performed there last month.
The gigs came just weeks after she had her first daughter with her boyfriend, A-list actor Robert Pattinson.
Whatever Suki is having, I’d like a bit please.
Noel’s booze blues
NOEL Gallagher has explained why he didn’t join in with thousands of other Man City fans for their “Poznan” celebration at Fulham’s Craven Cottage at the weekend, making him look like Where’s Wally.
The celebration – which sees fans jumping up and down with their backs to the pitch – happened after his beloved team were 4-0 up in West London.
After the picture went viral, the High Flying Birds frontman has admitted he wasn’t being a killjoy – he had a banging hangover.
On TalkSport yesterday he said of the snap, taken by a City fan who kindly shared it with me, Noel said: “You don’t really know until you leave the ground and your phone explodes. I have to say, in my defence, I was still feeling the effects of a rather spectacular night out. So even if I’d wanted to join in the Poznan I don’t think I’d have been able to.”
Hair of the dog is the best thing for it, Noel.
Mackenzie digs a jam with Johnny
HE’S more at home with a metal detector in his hand as his Dectectorist character Andy Stone.
But now actor Mackenzie Crook appears to have taken up a new hobby, after he was spotted at the Denmark Street recording studios in West London with his Pirates Of The Caribbean co-star Johnny Depp.
Insiders told me Johnny has been there jamming over the past week or so, and took Mackenzie inside with him for a few hours.
A source said: “It was a real racket they were making but by the sounds of the laughter they had a lot of fun.”
Mackenzie isn’t the only big name British star Johnny has been hanging out with recently.
Earlier this week he was seen with Stephen Graham at Warner Brothers’ studios in Leavesden, Herts, ahead of the release of their film Modi, about 20th century Italian artist Modigliani.
They make quite the trio.