Photos courtesy of Alexander Cervantes
“Extra, extra read all about it. Malcolm’s in his feelings and he can’t get out of it.”
Malcolm Todd’s self-proclaimed headline from his hit, “Earrings,” aptly unveils the 2 Year Anniversary Show of his most-streamed project to date: Sweet Boy. Whether in his feelings or — tonight — in The Fonda Theatre, Sweet Boy continues to sound as sweet as ever.
With tickets releasing just three days before the show, and selling out in mere minutes, this one-night-only event makes way for Malcolm Todd’s most loyal listeners. For many — much like myself — the songs of Sweet Boy have been the soundtrack of early adulthood. Including titles “Rodrick Rules” and “Accutane,” this album traverses candid, lyrical nods to growing up in the early 2000s. To those who can successfully snag a golden ticket, or in this case, an elusive QR code, this show is a time capsule to all those moments that feel like a coming-of-age movie.
Baggy jeans, eyeliner, and a compact digital camera are seemingly the uniform of Malcolm Todd fans flooding The Fonda Theatre; I, of course, am no exception. As they pour in, the checkered floor becomes nothing more than a memory, with every inch filling with the chemicals of teenage perfume and undying anticipation. However, more than just those out on a school night, Todd also reels in a star-spangled balcony. From the handful I can spot in the crowd, there is none other than up-and-coming DJ Rio Amor, singer-songwriter (and Malcolm Todd’s sister) Audrey Hobert, and debut member of KATSEYE, Manon Bannerman. From ticket-queue winners to Todd’s innermost circle, no group knows his lyrics better than this.
First to take the stage is the opening DJ pair, The Kick, who admittedly has only performed once prior, to a group of fifteen or so friends. For their first public performance, Charlie Ziman (producer for Malcolm Todd) and Nathan Tsunoda faced the crowd fearlessly, embracing matching head-to-toe all-black outfits and — for lack of a better word — swaggy shades. These two stand behind a humble tabletop, with just a MacBook, a DJ deck, and two water bottles (matching, just like them). Transitioning between Tame Impala’s “Breathe Deeper” and “Dracula,” along with Travis Scott and Ye, The Kick releases a medley of unpredictable adlibs and jumps to get the crowd moving. Complementary to their mixes, this set also comes with a side of them running some laps around the table, and of course, a leap onto — yes, onto — the front row. This duo, albeit a bit unserious, sets the tone for the night: quite simply, have a good time.
Taking place in the city where Malcolm Todd grew up, this return to Sweet Boy puts the “home” in homage, decorating the set as the same kitchen of the album’s cover art: pale floral wallpaper, cookware accoutrements, and a stovetop — quite literally, everything but the kitchen sink. As Malcolm Todd enters the scene, met with overwhelming applause and shrieks, he completes the picture and brings us into the album itself. Beginning with two of his most sensational hits, which are the first two tracks on the album, “Earrings” and “Roommates,” Malcolm Todd makes way for a chronological setlist. This is a celebration of Sweet Boy in its totality.
These vibrant, guitar-fueled alternative pop jams are undeniably Malcolm Todd’s signature sound, plunging into cheeky lyrics that give a vulnerable glimpse into his mind and surroundings:
“I’m losing the person I was when I found you. Am I acting different when I’m not around you? I’m being dramatic, I say that I’m losing. I wanna show you all the things I’ve been doing.”
This song, “Roommates,” is certainly a standout — and, unsurprisingly, a favorite of many — with its rising rhythm that feels like the thrill of overthinking coupled with a real earworm of a guitar hook. The vocal sections exhibit minimal instrumentation, which feels like being stuck in his consciousness, while the vibrant riffs feel like a snap back to reality. Many of Todd’s songs strike this perfect balance between his own voice and the nearly personified voices of guitars, whether it be a duet or duel.
Tonight, the guitars aren’t the only things joining Malcolm Todd on stage. All the way from Pennsylvania, the one and only Eem Triplin, featured vocalist on “New Friends (feat. Eem Triplin),” intertwines his smooth rap with Malcolm’s melodies. The two of them take the crowd by storm with unanimous shock — could this one-night special get any more special? Apparently, the answer is yes. Alongside the musical guests, this celebration also cements his hit “Chest Pain (I Love)” with the gift of a platinum plaque recognizing one million units sold. These milestones embellish the setlist for the night, guiding the rest of the album playthrough with nods to Malcolm’s decorated discography.
Along with “Roommates,” the tracks “Rockstar Boyfriend” and “Hot in NY” are certainly tops off the album, joined by some unexpected encores, including brand new “Breathe” and my all-time favorite, “Make Me a Better Man.” These songs have been on my top playlist rotations since their debut, and now, I get to relive that first-listen feeling again. Showcasing Malcolm Todd’s vocals with a raspier, deeper range and the confidence to take creative liberties, the live renditions feel like entirely new tracks. Even after the show, I find that the online originals are barely a taste of the in-person experience. If you have the chance to see him live, I assure you, you won’t regret it.
With the concert poster already plastered on my apartment wall, I couldn’t be more “Fonda” this night.
Listen to Malcolm Todd’s Sweet Boy here:
