The season opened with a pulse.

On May 5, Leader Bank Pavilion shook off its off-season quietness and came back to life for its first concert of the year: a stop on The Kid Laroi’s Perfect World Tour. The harbor stretched out next to the venue, and as the sun set, the chilly wind did not stifle the crowd’s energy for Laroi.

Tommy Richman opened the night and set the tone early. Loose and rhythmic, it was the perfect golden hour soundtrack. By the time he wrapped up, the vibe of the Pavilion was fully in motion. The crowd chanted his name as they anxiously awaited his arrival.

Laroi opened with songs from his newest album BEFORE I FORGET, starting with “ME + YOU.” It immediately established the emotional atmosphere of the night as he leaned into something more immersive for his intro: a performance that felt intimate even in a packed venue.

He then transitioned into “JULY,” keeping the emotional tone steady with a more nostalgic feel. Laroi has a way of delivering heartbreak in a cinematic style rather than a heavy one. As the voices of the crowd echoed back every lyric, the cool May air somehow made the song land even harder.

Then came “HOLD STILL,” which completed the opening trio perfectly. Where the first two songs balanced atmosphere and emotion, this one brought tension and release. Laroi introduced more movement and more energy to his stage presence during this song, and the crowd responded instantly.

He concluded the show with fan-favorite “NIGHTS LIKE THIS,” ending the night with the same tone of sharing his emotions and vulnerability with his fans.

Laroi’s show in Boston precisely embodied the energy of his discography: emotionally raw and deeply aware of how music can make thousands of people feel like they’re living inside the same moment at once.

For the first concert of the season, it was the kind of opening night that reminded Boston why summer at the Pavilion is always one to look forward to.

Photos and review by Mikayla Ranson