Malcolm Todd performed for the first night of the “Wholesome Rockstar Tour,” which proved he’s a natural entertainer — heartfelt, polished, and having the time of his life.
Dallas was electric on May 1, 2025, when Malcolm Todd kicked off his “Wholesome Rockstar Tour” at House of Blues Dallas. Todd, a 21-year-old L.A. alt-R&B upstart whose rise has been amazing to watch, made his show feel like a house party with 1,000 friends — unpredictable, a little sweaty, and unforgettable.
Opening DJ Sophie Gray brought the pre-show thunder. She spun a hyper dance set that felt like one giant going-out playlist. Gray blasted Rihanna hooks, Ice Spice beats, and even Charli XCX’s “360,” sending the crowd into a frenzy and priming everyone for Todd’s set. The two banners framing the DJ booth that said “I *heart* SG” summed up the moment perfectly.
After Sophie’s set, the energy stayed high. The sold-out, all-ages crowd was buzzing well before Malcolm Todd came out: phones up, fans chanting his name. Even during the changeover, the venue felt alive, thanks to a pre-show playlist that featured deep cuts like “Pineapple and the Monkey” by Faces. When the lights finally dimmed and Todd took the stage, the room practically exploded — and from that moment on, there was no slowing down.
He tore into “Bleed” (his collab with Omar Apollo) and even dove into the crowd mid-chorus. The set that followed was theatrical but never forced: full of callouts, cheeky asides, and a few fake slip-ups that kept the performance playful. At one point, Todd checked in with the crowd to make sure everyone was okay — the kind of gesture that speaks to his “Wholesome Rockstar” charm.
Later, he introduced his band, who also double as his tour roommates. He compared life on the road to living in a shared house with friends. That sense of closeness was clear in their chemistry, especially during a surprise cover of “Our House,” where they performed a choreographed dance.
The finale was a perfect high. Todd closed with “Roommates,” the track that launched his breakout fame and left the crowd shouting for more. “I couldn’t have started the tour in a better city,” he told the crowd, and judging by the screams, Dallas made sure he knew the feeling was mutual.
I’m a digital and film photographer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Originally from Atlanta, I graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s in Computer Engineering and a minor in Psychology. I’ve attended over 100 live shows (and counting!) and have a collection of setlists from my favorite shows. When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me running half marathons or happily exploring the local food scene in search of hidden gems.
