It’s such a cool feeling to come to a show and find something new, something you didn’t expect to find. And opening for Alicia Keys at Baltimore’s Pier Six Pavilion recently, David Bowden, known by the stage name Pink Sweats, brought the perfect balance of charm and soul.

With only himself and a guitarist, the Philly native poured his heart out and had a little fun in the process on Aug. 3. “Some of you are asking yourselves, ‘What is he even wearing?’ This is from Target,” as he joked in between tunes. Pink Sweats debut album, Pink Planet, was released in the midst of the Covid pandemic, with the follow-up, Pink Moon, released earlier this year. It’s full of sharply produced tracks that are the perfect antidote to the heat wave we’ve all been feeling lately, but these songs — stripped down to their bare acoustics — were like a cool breeze.

Watch the official music video for “Real Thing” by Pink Sweat$ (feat. Tori Kelly) on YouTube:

Pink Sweats definitely has a way of getting people moving even in the middle of a heat wave as the crowd which was filling up caught on and were responding on songs like “PINK MONEY” and clapping along to the refrain of “Cocaine,” a song that, as he said, hasn’t been performed much.

What a fun and entertaining set that I’d love the opportunity to see again! Pink Sweats continues his tour with Alicia Keys, and it’s definitely one not to miss.

Setlist:
Icy
PINK MONEY
Coke and Henny Pt. 2
Paradise
At My Worst
Heaven
Honesty
Cocaine

Here are more photos of Pink Sweat$ performing at the Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore on Aug. 3, 2022. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.