"Boston's one of my favorite places to be, it's one of my favorite places to perform, I can't get enough of you guys" - Finneas Feb 21

The frigid weather couldn't keep fans from Finneas' sold-out show at MGM Music Hall. The singer, songwriter, and producer embarked on For Cryin' Out Loud! The Tour in February in support of his new studio album of the same name. His stop at MGM Music Hall marked the midpoint of the tour, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement. Fans spilled into the venue and immediately extended the merchandise line up over four flights of stairs. Whimsical designs lined the table like a ladybug long sleeve, lotus flower t-shirt, and Finneas as the Statue of Liberty with "FINNATION" across the front. Fan outfits matched the playful nature of these designs, with one group of friends sporting red mesh sleeves underneath "MILF: Man I Love Finneas" shirts.

California rock band Bad Suns jumpstarted the night with an upbeat and tropical sound that filled the audience with hope for warmer days ahead. The trio harnessed their sharp percussion, catchy guitar licks, and raspy vocals to energize the crowd. Original songs like "Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me" and "Daft Pretty Boys" demonstrated their knack for creating danceable tracks that inspire a crowd to clap along. The band's marketing prowess was on full display as they advertised their new single "Communicating" by having the audience hold up their phones and stream the song simultaneously to see what it would sound like. The experiment was a clever way to stay on the radar of every fan in the room even after their set ended. A shirtless Christo Bowman said a final goodbye and thank you to Finneas before escaping backstage.

The REVERB nonprofit organization table was busy in the venue lobby between sets. Finneas partnered with the organization to have volunteers engage in meaningful conversations with fans and inspire them to pledge to eat one plant-based meal per day for 30 days. REVERB provided tips, freebies, and recipes to help fans make a difference.

The crowd erupted with cheers when the lights dimmed again. Finneas sauntered right up to his piano in a sharp black suit and polka-dotted socks, holding a glimmering glass of wine. He kicked off the night with a soulful moment, singing the vulnerable song "Starfucker." The crowd sang along so enthusiastically that they were almost louder than him. The dramatic spotlight highlighted Finneas' smooth vocals as he easily transitioned to powerful high notes.

Finneas held the energy high for the rest of the set, dancing around the stage, waving to each section of the venue, and playing with the microphone cord. He paused to share that it was his biggest headline show to date, eliciting cheers from every person in the room. Finneas' connection with his fans was palpable, with the star grabbing a fan's phone to record a video about midway through the set. He walked around to each of his four band members, singing with them into the camera and laughing so much he almost fell. This intimate moment displayed a sense of ease and comfort in his stage presence, inviting fans to lean into the fun atmosphere of the night even more.

Lighting and production details during songs like "The Kids Are All Dying" revealed how Finneas and his team meticulously planned out each element of the show to enhance the fan experience. The song makes a statement about political and social issues, starting with a green light when focusing on our impact on the planet and flashing red when cutting to the lyrics "How can you sing about love when the kids are all dying?" in the chorus.

Finneas sprinkled tidbits about his love of Boston throughout the show. He shared that he had a fun time touring Boston Common the previous day and that he used to have an obsession with Paul Revere when he was younger. He changed lyrics in songs like "Little Window" to say, "Boston, I'm seeing signs everywhere all the time." His flattery went over well, with the audience further charmed and proud to hear him exclaim, "Your city's very beautiful; I hope you're proud of it."

Finneas and his band seamlessly moved between jubilant songs with grungy guitar solos to more acoustic tracks, further bonding them with the audience and earning their trust. He shouted out Bad Suns drummer Miles Morris for joining his band and playing two shows that night, sharing that he knows how hard it can be from touring with pop star sister Billie Eilish, with whom he writes and produces.

The singer closed the show with the album's title track, a groovy and playful staccato song that tied the show back to the reason for the tour: the album! Finneas spent his 90-minute set playing an array of tracks from different projects while ensuring that For Cryin' Out Loud! and its heartfelt aesthetic took center stage. Make sure to catch him live before For Cryin' Out Loud! The Tour ends in March. Get tickets here.