In late 2025, The Kid Laroi had originally planned to release his third studio album, but then something quite unexpected occurred: he and long-time girlfriend Tate McRae called it quits. There had been speculation for months, but it was not confirmed until late in the year, with McRae releasing âTIT FOR TATâ on September 26, while she was still on tour.
As a result, Laroi scrapped his original plans for the album and came up with a completely new concept, with the first single âA COLD PLAYâ releasing early September (this prompted McRaeâs ‘TIT FOR TATâ response). The public breakup helped Laroi to create some of his most emotional music yet, and with the release of âBEFORE I FORGETâ in early January of 2026, he cemented that the relationship was over, but he himself was still dealing with the fallout.
He announced a U.S tour mid-February, with two Florida dates, the first being opening night in Fort Lauderdale and the third night of the tour in Tampa, Florida, which ended up selling out. Three days before the tour started, he released the deluxe and music video for his next single, âI CONDEMNâ as well.
In early June of 2024, Laroi was touring his album âTHE FIRST TIME,â and I was lucky enough to be present at that show, which was also held in Tampa at the same venue as well, being the University of South Floridaâs small arena, Yuengling Center. Laroi brought two openers with him, WiztheMC (well-known for blowing up last summer with his song âShow Me Loveâ) and Tommy Richman, the Virginia native responsible for the hit song âMILLION DOLLAR BABY.â
Now, I will say that anyone who expects a giant spectacle from Laroi has the wrong idea about what kind of artist he is. The protege of late Juice Wrld and Justin Bieber, Laroi has a knack for creating beats and writing extremely sad songs. He may have started more on the rap side, but as he has grown and progressed within his artistry, he has become more known for his singing voice and pop-R&B draw.
When it came down to his actual set this time around, it was pretty heavy on the new album with a few of his older hits scattered throughout. Laroi started strong with ‘ME+ YOU’ to open, followed by a fusion of ‘JULY and I’M SO IN LOVE WITH YOU.’ Before the show, Laroi had teased adding ‘HOLD STILL’ and ‘MOVE YOUR BODY’ to the set-list due to fan demand, and he did just that by replacing ‘WEAKEST FEELING’ with ‘HOLD STILL.’ After performing ‘NEVER CAME BACK’ and a more acoustic version of ‘BLEED,’ it became easier to see Laroi as the lighting brought him into full view.
When people said online that Laroi makes you feel all of the feelings, they weren’t kidding, and I tell you this from first-hand experience. The second act of the set was ‘BABY I’M BACK,’ ‘A PERFECT WORLD,’ ‘THOUSAND MILES,’ and ‘BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE.’ An interesting thing Laroi does during this tour is that he mixes his songs live on stage. His setup is simple: he doesn’t use a live band, only a DJ, and he has a small keyboard and mixer on the right side, with a circular platform in the center. He did this at another point in the show where he used his own vocals and the keyboard to perform a mix of ‘MAYBE I’M WRONG,’ a song which I will never hear the same after watching him produce it live.
Other highlights from the show were the apparent emotional performances, the most incredible of which to watch were ‘RATHER BE’, ‘I CONDEMN’, ‘PRIVATE’, ‘THE MOMENT’, and the live debut of ‘MOVE YOUR BODY.’ The show ended with Laroi’s most acclaimed song, two-time platinum ‘NIGHTS LIKE THIS’ with stunning visuals in the background. Personal request? Add NIGHTS LIKE THIS PT2 to the setlist, but other than that, the song choices and Laroi’s performance were incredible.
Laroi still has so much ahead of him as an artist, and while most of his music reflects heartbreak, he has so much to offer the industry as a creator, and he should not be defined by his ability to make a great album after he has a breakup.