Review: Alex Warren Delivers High-Energy Set at South Florida Debut

Alex Warren’s fans packed Hard Rock Live on Wednesday night for his South Florida concert debut, and he made sure they got their money’s worth, and then some.

The 24-year-old, best known for blending acoustic confessions with polished pop production, brought his Cheaper Than Therapy tour to Hollywood, Florida, delivering a show that leaned heavily on emotional highs, fan engagement, and a touch of theatrical flair.

By the time he hit the stage, emerging from the back in a cloud of sparks, the sold-out crowd was already warmed up, thanks in part to an energetic opening set by Maude Latour. The alt-pop singer used the occasion to celebrate her birthday, which fans acknowledged with handmade signs and a chorus of birthday wishes. After her set, Latour posted up at the merch table to meet fans one-on-one, a move that added to the intimate feel of the night.

But it was Warren’s moment, and he seized it from the jump. Flanked by LED panels and backed by a full band, he ran through a setlist that included “Burning Down,” “Getaway Car,” and “Save You a Seat.” Early in the night, he grabbed an acoustic guitar for “Before You Leave Me,” softening the room’s energy and showcasing the vocal vulnerability that has helped him dominate platforms like Spotify and TikTok.

From the front rail packed with fans who had traveled across Florida to catch him live, to the sing-along moments during ballads like “Everything” and “Eternity,” the atmosphere was as intimate as it was electric. Still, he saved the best for last.

After a brief encore break, Warren returned with “Carry You Home” before launching into “Ordinary,” the viral juggernaut that’s become Miami’s unofficial pop anthem of the year. The single, released in February, has exploded globally — topping the Billboard Global 200 and recently breaking the record for most weeks at No. 1 on Mediabase’s pop radio chart. As New Times covered earlier this week, “Ordinary” remained one of the most-played songs in Miami, a rare feat for a track released months ago.

Ending with “Ordinary” was a crowd-pleaser and proof that Warren’s vulnerability is what makes him magnetic.

Although Warren’s still winning over critics — Pitchfork once called him “the logical conclusion of the last decade of ESGM, nu-folk resurgence, streambait indie pop, and virtually every other roundly hated musical trend” — for South Florida fans, none of that mattered.