This past Friday, contemporary R&B pop artist, Khalid, with support from opener Lauv, gave the crowd at MGM Music Hall at Fenway an early taste of summer with his “It’s Always Summer Somewhere” Tour.
Khalid, originally from El Paso, TX, hit big in his music career after the release of his song “Location” in 2016. The singer originally uploaded the track to Soundcloud where it quickly grabbed the attention of thousands of listeners, and got him signed to RCA Records. A year later, his first full album, American Teen, was released. This album is home to many of his most-listened to songs and continued to open doors for the young artist’s growth in the industry.
Fast forward to 2026, Khalid has released a total of seven albums and collaborated with major artists including Billie Eilish, Halsey and Ed Sheeran. Khalid’s emphasis on personable lyrics combined with his smooth vocals and mellow beats make his sound easy to fall in love with.
Friday night, Boston saw firsthand why Khalid has remained a mainstay for the past decade. Backed by dancers and a live band, the set was undeniably entertaining, but it was his genuine connection to the crowd, and clear gratitude for being on stage, that stood out most. Throughout the night, he interacted with fans, wishing them “happy birthdays” and complimenting outfits mid-set. The feel-good energy was infectious, with people across the floor dancing, singing along, and embracing one another.
Those fans, especially the ones who’ve been there since 2016, felt a wave of teenage nostalgia during performances of “American Teen,” “8TEEN,” and “Another Sad Love Song,” each track tapping into pivotal life moments like falling in love, making mistakes, and going through emotional hardships. Boston also got a taste of Khalid’s latest era, with standout tracks from after the sun goes down, including “out of body” and “in plain sight.”
The night ended with the crowd echoing the lyrics back to his most-listened to song, “Young Dumb & Broke”. A special moment of connectedness, one where the lyrics resonated just as hard for teens as they did for adults, each person tuning in, even briefly, to the freedom of summer break as a young, dumb, broke high school kid.
Find tickets to his upcoming shows and check out his new album here!
