Malcom Todd @ MGM Music Hall 9/26

Photos by Brianna Benitez

Review by Isabelle Ireland

Malcolm Todd electrified MGM Fenway on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the middle of a New England nor’easter.

Before Todd stepped onstage at 9 p.m., the crowd was already buzzing. Fans had waited hours in the rain, with some lining up as early as 8 a.m. Despite the pouring rain, everyone seemed determined to make it inside.

What stood out most was how kind the crowd was to one another — something I haven’t experienced at a concert in a while. A young girl and her mother shared an umbrella with me while we waited outside on Lansdowne Street. A man dressed as a banana wandered around talking to people about how he had scalped tickets to get there. When a girl accidentally bumped into me, she apologized profusely, which quickly turned into a conversation about how much she loved Todd. Even before the show began, it felt like everyone genuinely wanted to be there together.

The show opened with live footage of Todd and his bandmates entering the stage like an NBA lineup. Each band member, or “player,” was announced with a performative handshake before Todd appeared. He opened with “Jean Skirt,” my favorite song from his most recent album. At under a minute long, it was the perfect opener — short, unexpected and energetic.

After loud cheers, Todd’s guitarist shredded into “Breathe,” amplified by the crowd’s screams. The song faded into soft moans and breaths before transitioning into “Malcolm in the Middle.” One of the best production choices throughout the night was Todd frequently turning on the house lights during his biggest songs. During “Malcolm in the Middle,” he could see his fans smiling and shouting his lyrics back at him.

The set was drenched in red lighting, with a vintage-style screen behind Todd showing live footage, old videos and movie clips matching his lyrics. Todd is still getting comfortable onstage, but his awkwardness has a specific charm that his fans clearly love. When he dances, he grabs the sleeves of his sweater as if he is nervous about what to do with his hands before suddenly breaking into a little dance. His innocent expressions paired with the sexual energy of the red lights made for a captivating contrast.

Todd shifted effortlessly between softer moments and songs that had the crowd screaming every word. Before “Free.99,” he acknowledged how difficult it may have been for fans to make it to the concert and thanked everyone for coming. During “Difficult Love,” I noticed very few phones in the air; fans seemed to be living in the moment instead of recording the entire show. At the end of the bridge, “B**CH IS NOT A NICE WORD” appeared in bold black letters on the screen, causing an eruption of laughter.

“This one is for the students!” Todd shouted before “Walk to Class.” He crushed the high notes, fake-cried and encouraged fans to “give someone you love a hug and a kiss.” His bandmates responded by kissing him on the cheek before Todd turned to the crowd and mouthed “mwah.” It was ridiculous in the best possible way.

Then came one of the night’s most memorable surprises: Todd brought his mom onstage.

The two performed “Oh! Darling” by The Beatles for his parents’ 29th anniversary. Todd’s mom dedicated the song to her husband and absolutely killed her portions. Todd visibly blushed throughout the performance, and it was easy to see where he and his sisters got their musical talent.

Then came “Obsessica,” creating one of the night’s funniest contrasts. Moments earlier, Todd had been singing a Beatles duet with his mom; now he was lying on the ground shredding his guitar under red lights. He followed with “4Me 4Me,” “Mr. Incorrect” and “Sweet Boy,” showcasing just how strong his vocals are even when competing with a screaming crowd.

The emotional side of the show returned with “Make Me a Better Man,” introduced by the handwritten message, “I will be a better man. Love, Malcolm.” After “Gun to My Head” on piano, Todd told the crowd how much he loved the East Coast and how lucky he felt. His appreciation for everyone spending their Saturday night with him felt genuine.

The final stretch of the set brought some of the biggest crowd reactions. “Good Bye” featured lights flashing between the stage and house while Todd sang alongside his fans, followed by “Cheer Me On” and “Chest Pain (I Love).” During the latter, the screen showed iconic movie kisses ranging from Disney’s “Up” to “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Then Todd shouted, “Oh sh*t! I’ve been looking for these everywhere!” before launching into “Earrings.” The crowd sang so loudly that Todd let them take over the chorus, removing his earpiece just to hear them.

He closed the main set with “I Saw Your Face,” where his facial expressions made the emotion impossible to miss. Anger, disappointment and sadness were all visible, but underneath it was clear how happy he was to be performing for a sold-out crowd.

The encore was just as playful. A Magic 8 Ball appeared onscreen, eventually landing on “DO THAT AGAIN,” prompting Todd to return wearing a New England Patriots jersey. He shared childhood videos before performing “Leave It All to Me,” the theme song from “iCarly.” After showing footage of fans singing along, Todd closed with “Roommates,” leaving the crowd dancing until the final note.

Overall, Malcolm Todd’s show was pure bliss. His voice is incredible, but what made the night special was the community he has built around his music. Through the rain and chaos of a sold-out Saturday night, his fans were some of the kindest and most enthusiastic I have witnessed in years.

Todd is still growing into the size of the stages he is beginning to play, but that is part of what makes him exciting to watch. His awkwardness, humor, musical talent and genuine appreciation for his fans make him captivating. If this is Todd on one of his biggest tours yet, I cannot wait to see what happens when the stages get even bigger.

For now, he is crushing it — and I would be more than happy to see him do that again.