The first time I heard a Malcolm Todd song I was driving in my run-down Prius shuffling through a randomized Apple Music playlist, when his song “Earrings” blasted through my speakers. Immediately, I was transferred back to my adolescence - you know, the awkward, exciting time of life when all you need is a way to get rid of the teenage angst. Malcolm Todd is the just the right outlet for that.
When you walk in the Wiltern, the loud outside noise melts away and you are welcomed into old Hollywood. On Tuesday night (6/17), the venue was filled with a sense of youthfulness gearing up for Malcolm Todd to take the stage for the second to last date of his tour. Every corner of each row was stuffed with high school students dressed in flannels, baggy denim, and sneakers encapsulating the Malcolm Todd aura. Some fans waited 5-6 hours outside in line to get the perfect seat, as most sections were GA only. From the upper mezzanine, I overlooked the packed lower level, to see that it was a fight to the death to get to the very edge of the stage. We were ready to see our Wholesome Rockstar.
He’s just a California boy. Todd grew up in sunny Los Angeles, surrounded by the music scene and entertainment business, and knew that this was the right place for him. In high school, the artist would perform for his peers at the local high school late-night party. When the pandemic hit, used the new found time to write his first album Demos Before Prom. He learned how to play the guitar during quarantine. To gain popularity with music listeners, he told people that the tracks listed were all "unreleased" songs by fellow indie singer Steve Lacy. During a short stint at University of Oregon, Todd continued to write and study music production to hone in on his skills. From having his song “Art House” go viral on Tik Tok to getting signed by Columbia Records, he was ready to jump into this new world. After his fast rise to stardom, Todd became one of the North American leg openers for Omar Apollo's tour God Said No. The two later collaborated on Todd’s new song “Bleed” which also gained popularity Tik Tok.
The lights dimmed and as the chanting of “Malcolm Todd! Malcolm Todd!” ensues. On the stage, there were fluorescent flashing lights synchronized to Todd’s song “Harry Styles,” but no sign of him yet. The interlude continued, while silhouettes of his band members made the crowd roar louder. The back screen that displays his name flashes a few times. Still no sign of Malcolm. Anticipation dances along the faces of audience members around me. According to my iphone it's only been a few seconds. A tall figure runs across the stage as a smooth but rustic voice starts to sing, “ Dance Monkey, dance ,you're our favorite fool…” Malcolm is finally here.
He looked out into the crowd and said in awe, “LA! This is where I grew up and where I call home. My most memorable shows have happened in this city!”
All the lights are on now revealing the singer, as he begins to sing one of his newer hits “Make Me a Better Man.” The set design depicts something of a parent’s garage or backyard, adding to the youthful setting. He mimicked the “rockstar next door” vibe by adding a white picket fence, faux bushes and small trees, along with an archway that held a deer head. We were no longer at the Wiltern, but a party at Malcolm Todd’s house. The party continued as the singer performed a chunk of songs from his pivotal album Sweet Boy, playing “Earrings,” “4Me 4Me,” “Mr.Incorrect” and of course, the title track.
After sensually zipping down his hoodie to reveal his bare chest, he ran from the wings in a brand new red shirt. The second part of the show focused on his most recent album, his namesake, Malcolm Todd. He began with the romantic “Walk to Class,” a song about calling your partner on their way to class. Todd kept the momentum going by playing fan-favorite “You Owe Me,” which is off his short album Two New Malcolm Todd Songs. After playing his song Art House, he recognized his band members and best friends, Charlie, Jonah, Luke, and Asher to introduce the next one. They would all be singing about friendship.
The first few chords of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Our House” were not recognizable to the teenage crowd. They all kept singing when the audience finally caught on during the chorus, especially when the boys linked arm and arm to dance. His band members (beside Jonah who was on the keys), sang back up for Malcolm. It was a refreshing yet humorous take on the song and added to the overall pacing of the setlist.
The third and final part of the show was the time to get rowdy. Todd started the hype by singing “Florence,” “Concrete,” and what he said was his favorite song “Cheer Me On.” The loud joyful screams came when he played his viral Tik Tok hit, “Chest Pain (I love),” which inspired the online trend of sharing slowed-down videos of people you love. In April 2025, Todd even got the chance to perform the song on the Jimmy Kimmel show. I looked all around me to see fans hugging the ones that came with them, even for me to see a couple embracing each other.
After the song wrapped up, the stage became dark as a taped version of “I Do” played. For the final two songs, Todd came out wearing the same baggy jeans but a white oversized t-shirt. During his song (my personal favorite), “I’ll Come Back For You,” the fans surprised the singer with a sweet gift for him. Before the night two show, fans that were waiting in line around 5:30 got small white papers with multi-colored stars on them to hold up against their flashlight during the song. It created a rainbow-inspired glow for us to enjoy. Todd responded with his gratitude for us all.
It was now time for Malcolm to bring it on home. Time for “Roommates.”
“I’m only going to do the next song if you go full out!” the singer exclaimed.
Cheers rang through the crowd. The unique thing about seeing “Roommates” live is it starts out with a slower paced beginning but amps up towards the end. Before the final beat drop of the song Todd made it clear he wanted everyone from the “front of the stage” to the nosebleeds to jump.
So, I closed my eyes and jumped.
