Let me paint the picture: you're standing in line, surrounded by teens arguing over whether grunge-core with Y2K accessories is too obvious, and the color red might as well be a ticket requirement. Welcome to sombr’s Late Nights of Young Romance tour, a Gen Z fever dream wrapped in heartbreak lyrics, low-waisted jeans, and a huge disco ball. Kicking off the night was Devon Gabriella, who honestly feels like if Gracie Abrams and Madison Beer had a baby raised exclusively on emotionally devastating Pinterest quotes. Her voice? Warm, inviting, and sweet enough to make your teeth ache in the best way. She carried this super gentle, almost nervous energy, but it worked for her. She radiated vulnerability in both lyrics and stage presence. She also covered Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather, which her voice wrapped around like it was made for it. A nice warm-up for the emotional whiplash that is sombr. Let’s talk about the man of the hour: sombr. Only 20, standing at an absolutely ridiculous 6’7” (yes, that’s real), and somehow a cross between Elvis’s soul, a Beatles backup dancer, and a TikTok algorithm’s dream boyfriend. The internet is obsessed, and honestly? Fair.
From the jump, the show’s vibe was more “Late Night Talk Show Fever Dream” than concert. There was a literal desk. A couch. A band plopped right in the center like musical guests on SNL. And, naturally, an announcer introduced sombr as the musical guest, SNL-style. Commitment to the bit: 10/10. He opened with I Wish I Knew How to Quit You, the crowd expectantly knowing every word like they wrote it in their diary last night. While some say he’s got that Justin Bieber magnetism, I’d argue sombr’s secret weapon is more existential: he taps into the yearning phenomenon that lives inside everyone who’s been ghosted in the last five years, and has recently taken over the internet. His lyrics are raw, dramatic, and just unhealthy enough to feel like reading your own text history. And people (mostly girls) are enamored. The scripted moments? Charmingly awkward. His bassist held up an actual “APPLAUSE” sign. His chemistry with the guitarist? Practically romantic ( I might start a rumor). He even brought someone on stage to call their ex so he could decide who was the real villain. It was messy, chaotic, and weirdly wholesome.
Top songs of the night: Do I Ever Cross Your Mind – beautifully simple with haunting harmonies. Back to Friends – a crowd favorite for a reason. Canal Street – way better live than on Spotify. He also pulled a cardboard cutout of himself on stage at one point, tried to kiss it, then beat it up. Near the end, out came his famous mic stand, the one with the heavy base that he swings like a lasso. Watching it spin felt like waiting for a ceiling fan to fly off its mount. Closing with 12 to 12, complete with a glowing disco ball casting prom-scene sparkles all over the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. It was giving 10 Things I Hate About You, but with more eyeliner and crowd-surfing. Before signing off, he told the audience, “You guys really are my family.” Cue collective meltdown. sombr’s Nashville show was a chaotic, heartfelt, TikTok-ready fever dream. He’s talented, wildly entertaining, and clearly on his way up, maybe even taller than his cardboard doppelgänger. If you get the chance to catch this tour, do it. Go for the heartbreak anthems, stay for the accidental therapy session and spinning mic stand. Just… maybe leave your ex at home, or bring them as encouraged by Shane.
- Joanna Walden
