World-renowned pop hitmaker Charlie Puth kicked off his Whatever’s Clever! World Tour in San Diego on April 22, drawing droves of fans to Viejas Arena to enjoy an evening of euphoric tunes.
The evening began with a brief performance from rising pop singer Ally Salort, who quickly unpacked a bundle of charisma and energy for the audience. She performed a mashup of her latest single “Finish Line” and “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, which easily caught the crowd by surprise. She also performed an upcoming song titled “Housekeeping,” as well as her hits “Horror Movie” and “I’ve Never Met Her.”
Up next was Daniel Seavey, who quickly rotated between playing different instruments such as the drums, cello, electric guitar, and bass guitar. Performing his original songs such as “I Tried” and “Can We Pretend That We’re Good?” amused the crowd, but enthusiasm skyrocketed when Daniel decided to use his loop pedal to perform a cover of Justin Bieber’s “One Less Lonely Girl.” Daniel also jumped off the stage and interacted with fans along the barricade while performing “Sleeping With The Lights On.” Being able to open for Charlie was a grand occasion for Daniel. “I look up to that dude so much,” he said during his set. “He’s the smarter, nerdier version of me.
Around 9PM, Charlie’s backup singers and band took to the stage for a soulful introduction to the show. Charlie quickly emerged and launched into
a thrilling rendition of “Beat Yourself Up,” as the stage lights flickered and he grooved with his backup singers. The energy was very uplifting, to the point where I quickly asked myself out loud, “Am I being taken to church right now?”
“Beat Yourself Up” is featured on Charlie’s latest album, Whatever’s Clever! Released in late March, the project invites listeners to experience a more vulnerable side of Charlie than ever before. While working diligently on the album with producer BloodPop®, he was challenged to dig deep and write lyrics about topics he normally wouldn’t cover. Throughout the album, Charlie sings about his family, lingering heartbreaks, and other major life changes. Despite being over a decade into his career, he felt he hadn’t yet given fans a good opportunity to get to know him personally. Whatever’s Clever! was meant to do exactly that. The album also includes some major collaborations, including appearances from Kenny G, Coco Jones, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and more.
Eager to bring the old and the new together, Charlie proceeded to play his beloved hit “How Long,” which received a roaring greeting from the crowd during the first few notes. The performance wasn’t complete without Charlie jamming on the keyboard for nearly two minutes, which is often a highlight of his shows. A quick transition to “Washed Up” ushered in easy going, “yacht rock” vibes for the crowd to enjoy. As he harmonized alongside his backup singers, a camera began to show Charlie’s point-of-view of his keyboard rig. Audience members were able to see exactly what he was playing, creating an even greater immersive experience.
Soon after, the lights were dimmed, and the band started to play some calming R&B tunes. Charlie slowly walked and hopped across the stage, pointing and waving to fans throughout the arena. A Quiet Storm was surely rolling in, as the music created an intimate feeling, and Charlie started scatting and singing the words “San Diego” repeatedly.
“I’ve wanted to do a show like this for a really long time,” Charlie said. He looked down at his outfit, which consisted of a dark blue polo shirt over a red and white crew neck top. “And yes, I may look like a new dad dropping his son or daughter off to soccer practice, but this is how I show up to work.”
Despite Charlie being dressed very casually, most will agree it’s all about the music at his shows, and it’s hard to imagine it being any other way. The stage was built like a small, elevated pyramid, with multiple screens displaying graphics that gave fans a unique experience no matter their vantage point. Minimal lighting on stage helped curate different moods throughout the evening, but there were no large pyrotechnic displays, moving platforms, flashy costumes, or anything else that would lead this to be regarded as a “visual spectacle.” It can be easily argued that there’s no need for any of that. When one attends a Charlie Puth concert, one should expect to be moved just by the music and the memories associated with it. While performing songs such as “BOY,” “Attention,” “One Call Away” and “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” an overwhelming sense of camaraderie filled the crowd. While we all may have been living vastly different life experiences eight years ago, the music was a common denominator, and these songs helped create the soundtrack to our lives back then.
Of course, one should also expect to hear Charlie talk about making music while at one of his shows. After playing a few notes on the piano, he asked if there were any musicians and artists in the crowd. A few hands instantly shot up, and Charlie seemed to acknowledge all of them. “I’ve got this reputation online of being a music teacher,” he joked. “I look at this show as an extension of it, because I want everybody to leave here tonight with some form of artful inspiration.”
Ultimately, Charlie’s goal was to get his fans to, in his words, “ignore the noise and make your art.” He made many jokes throughout the night about having to perform certain songs for the rest of his life, but let’s face it: for thousands of people to be able to gather and sing songs such as “See You Again” in unison, it means the music has stood the test of time. Being able to have your work recognized and celebrated for years and decades to come is something all creatives should strive for, and for those who hold that goal close to their hearts, the Whatever’s Clever! Tour will easily serve as inspiration.
For information on future dates of the Whatever’s Clever! Tour, visit charlieputh.com/live.