It takes a lot these days to get punters out and about on a Tuesday night of all days, but that is where Freo.Social sees a sold-out show by Bedford’s own Tom Grennan.

Following the release of his latest album, Everywhere I Went Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be (thankfully, it felt like he did in fact want to be here), the British singer with two number one albums under his belt arrives for a trio of Australian shows this month, starting on a Tuesday night in Freo. 

Irish pop-rock band Picture This get the crowds thumping, pumping and stomping to a nostalgic folk sway. Think early Imagine Dragons or Matchbox Twenty. Addicted To You is a gentle cry for love that erupts into a marching chorus declaration. Whereas Take My Hand is a soaring battle-cry of lush melodies over enchanting guitars and a rhythmic drumbeat that you just can’t help but tap along to. It's a short set, but it’s enough to get the room racing for the main course. 

Full Attention is the perfect opener where rhythmic claps build into a summertime of rapturous drums and shimmery guitar licks, as Tom croons “I just wanna give you my full attention”, and in return the crowd gives him theirs. The shimmery sun sounds fade into the dark and gritty, choral-tinged Higher with its smooth, jazzy tempo twist. 

All These Nights is an upbeat pop smash that comes next and gets you bouncing to its infectious flow. The energy erupts in a burst of confetti as a smiling Tom looks out into the crowd before segueing into the frenzied drum pulse of Cool With That.

Crown Your Love and Don’t Break the Heart demonstrate the immense vocal ability housed in the young 30-year-old, where each hook reaches a cataclysmic crescendo of rich, velvety pop. The latter was a particular highlight in the way it built up until the Brit was belting out cries begging to be held. There’s not a dry eye in Freo tonight.

“I’ve been doing this for nine years, and I still cannot believe that people show up; it’s amazing.” You can’t help but root for the Brit-pop underdog. With contemporaries like Teddy Swims, James Arthur, and Lewis Capaldi, Grennan brings a certain charm and charisma to his performances, as well as a lively swagger to his songwriting, which sets him apart.

He puts his entire soul into each show, making you really want to give your all to him in return. It’s a boyish charm where, no matter what stage he’s on, you can tell he feels blessed to be able to do what he loves. The love is palpable in the room on Boys Don’t Cry: “I need the whole building singing this with me,” the rockstar winks, as the room ignites with phone lights and a belting crowd, both young and old, all very merry. 

The Ella Henderson collab Let’s Go Home Together cut through what has become a sort of one-note array of songs, with his choral crowd taking the reins of the female songstress for this live performance. It’s a much-needed note after the typical belt and bounce of the previous half hour. 

The night closes with the tragically beautiful piano ballad I Won’t Miss A Thing, another gem that highlights the way Grennan can contort his voice in both boisterous belters and the hush-whispers of the more subdued numbers, where his vocal prowess takes centre stage.

Not wanting to end the show on a wistful note, the familiar punch of smash hit Little Bit of Love rips through the room, an instant adrenaline rush of uplifting piano keys smashing into the deliciously infectious chorus as the song rises and builds into a soaring wave of euphoria.

Each song is a stadium-ready banger that seems too grand for the pub vibes of Freo.Social, and would feel more at home in arenas where the vocal powerhouse definitely has the voice and stage presence to pull it off. Just like his songs, the show offers powerful and fantastic highs, with the occasional dip, but there is something truly captivating about the tattooed entertainer that leaves you falling in love and wanting more.