Review: Dean Lewis at TD Garden

Dean Lewis delivered a captivating performance to a sold-out crowd at TD Garden in early April, proving himself to be an act meant for the big stage. Boston was a highly anticipated stop along AJR’s “The Maybe Man Tour,” with this being Lewis’ largest show in the city, greatly surpassing past venues like Royale and House of Blues. 

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Lewis gained widespread recognition when his debut single “Waves” achieved international success in 2016, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries including Australia and the UK. His debut album, A Place We Knew, was released three years later along with his hit track “Be Alright.” 
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Lewis’ music resonates with listeners for its introspective exploration of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, particularly in the lyrics of “Waves.” He sings, “But there is a light / In the dark / And I feel its warmth,” reflecting on how distance allows our emotions around different memories to change. The central lyric, “It comes and goes in waves / It always does, it always does,” is an affirmation––though the days of his “wild youth” and infinite possibilities seem fleeting, moments of “magic” and wonder will return. 

“Be Alright” touches more closely on heartbreak, with Lewis singing directly to a friend, “I know you love her, but it's over, mate / It doesn't matter, put the phone away / It's never easy to walk away, let her go / It'll be okay.” 

At TD Garden, Lewis kept his stage set-up simple with an acoustic guitar, piano, and small band, but filled the stage with his rich vocals and charming confidence. Even as the supporting act, Lewis kept the audience engaged throughout, sprinkling in covers of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” and The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” allowing everyone to sing along, regardless of their familiarity with his discography. The covers not only enthused the crowd but also showcased different sides of his musicality, featuring both traditional pop and grittier vocals. Lewis ended the night with the fan-favorite “Be Alright,” keeping the energy in the arena high before AJR took the stage.

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