Singer-songwriter d4vd drew a full house at Terminal 5 for a sold-out Tuesday night performance. Back in April, he announced the Withered 2025 World Tour in support of his debut studio album of the same name. The tour spans a wide range of cities across North America, Europe, and Australia. Originally set to perform in New York on August 19, d4vd added a second show on August 20 at Brooklyn Steel due to overwhelming demand.
Walking into the venue felt like stepping into a whimsical garden — the stage was adorned with an elaborate arrangement of flowers, creating a dreamy ambiance that perfectly complemented d4vd’s signature sound. When the lights began to pulse, the crowd knew the show was about to start. From the moment he took the stage, d4vd had the audience locked in, sprinting across the stage with infectious energy during the opening high-tempo tracks, “What Are You Waiting For” and “Take Me To The Sun.” He followed up with “Sky,” one of his personal favorites from the new album.
For his hit single, “Here With Me,” d4vd brought out a special guest, his younger sister Emily, to sing with him. The crowd responded with overwhelming support, showering her with cheers during this sweet moment. While d4vd has collaborated with several notable artists, including Laufey on “This Is How It Feels,” she wasn’t in attendance that night. Still, the audience made her presence felt by singing her verses at full volume. Later, chants of “Bryant” erupted as d4vd welcomed another surprise guest, Bryant Barnes, to perform “I’d Rather Pretend.” Having previously served as an opening act on the tour, it was a meaningful moment to see the two share the spotlight.
Between songs, d4vd returned the love by tossing signed Labubus into the crowd. He even stepped off the stage to snap selfies and sign merch, creating unforgettable moments for lucky fans.
The New York show featured a few unique moments that set it apart from other stops on the tour. One standout was d4vd’s performance of “The Bridge,” a rare addition to the setlist that caught fans by surprise — it marked only the second time he had played the track live on tour. Later in the show, he turned to the crowd and asked if they were familiar with the K-pop group Stray Kids, after spotting lightsticks and Hyunjin merch scattered throughout the audience. The enthusiastic response led smoothly into “Always Love,” his collab with Stray Kids’ member Hyunjin.
The next song, “My House Is Not A Home,” was one that holds dear to his heart as a native of Queens, New York. Before beginning, he gave a warm shout-out to his parents in the crowd, then took his place at the piano and delivered a soulful performance that highlighted his mellow vocals. Saving the most anticipated moment for last, d4vd introduced his final song as “the song that started it all” — his viral breakout, “Romantic Homicide.” He wrapped up the show by thanking everyone for coming and reminded fans he’d be back the next night for a second show in Brooklyn.
d4vd’s shows are an emotional journey that is sure to pull at your heartstrings. With the Withered Tour still in full swing, seeing him live in a city near you is an experience not to miss. During the show, he revealed that a deluxe edition of WITHERED is in the works. While a release date hasn’t been announced yet, fans can definitely look forward to what’s coming next.
Photos and words by Angela Leung
