Charlie Puth
Support: Daniel Seavey, Ally Salort
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
May 1st, 2026

Review by Tawni Kuhn
Photo Credit: Steve Carlson

A recipe for a charming show may include a few things: an intro that could double as a Disney parade kickoff (complimentary). A dash of riffy piano solos. A handful of cover from local legends. A dash of golden retriever energy.

Charlie Puth’s ‘Whatever’s Clever! Tour’ brought all that and more to San Francisco’s iconic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. This run follows his National Anthem performance at Super Bowl LX and, most recently, the release of the tour’s namesake album (out now via Atlantic Records). True to its title, this show is easy and effortless, although that ease doesn’t mean it’s without intention.

We see Charlie Puth bring a level of maturity and openness to his latest work with a throughline that moves away from his usual themes of heartbreak, loss, and relationships. This vulnerability extends to how he recorded the album. Still masterfully produced, he allowed for imperfection, stepping back from the “chart pop” he’s long been known for. It’s a risk for a radio darling, but one that pays off in a set of songs built for the stage and shaped for his near-entirely live band. It’s a reminder of what a Top 40 artist can look like beyond algorithm-driven trends and heavy reliance on backtrack. It’s refreshing to witness.

What stands out is how much Puth is inspired by eras and genres beyond his own, and how that has influenced the set. Notably, he reworked some of his most iconic songs, often in jazzy or pared-back arrangements for a sound that is fresh and true to his current album, while still carrying a nostalgic undercurrent. There were also moments of spontaneity that landed for the Bay Area crowd, whether he slipped into an off-the-cuff “Blow the Whistle” piano ditty or a swoon-worthy Keyshia Cole cover.

Beyond the new renditions and covers, there were other moments of pure triumph and I would be remiss not to mention the incredible ensemble. The sleeper hit, “Home”, was a bright spot of the evening, a song which originally featured vocalist Utada Hikaru (of Kingdom Hearts infamy). One may be daunted to step into the shoes of an iconic vocalist, but you’d never miss her with Puth’s backing vocalist carrying the duet through. We also get vocal support during “Cheating on You” which left Puth hooting in support of his counterpart’s improvisational, cascading notes.

All in all, the audience was blessed with flawless vocals throughout. Puth’s microphone was on that night. No matter how much the singer has pushed beyond the bounds of his old formula, he shines during his most famous staples. Even if you’ve heard “See You Again” a thousand times, it remains an emotional number live. “Attention”, meanwhile, will live eternal as a crowd-pleasing earworm.

Sometimes, when a singer tells a crowd they love “insert city here” for reason X, Y, or Z, it can feel scripted, even performative. Call me a chump, but every moment of the evening felt earnest and genuine. Charlie Puth seemed to be having the best time in San Francisco, shouting with pure joy like he’d just won a sporting event. There’s something to take from that: not everything needs to be perfect to feel the most meaningful. In fact, the imperfections often make it more inspiring, more alive. So fuck it. Listen to the art. Be inspired by it. Make it. Maybe you’ll ad-lib a beautiful duet, or write a great album. Or maybe not. Whatever’s clever.

Charlie Puth setlist:
Beat Yourself Up
How Long
Washed Up
LA Girls
Empty Cups
Home
Cry
Patient
Sideways
We Don’t Talk Anymore
BOY
Reply to This
Attention
Cheating on You
Love (Keyshia Cole cover)
Love in Exile
One Call Away
See You Again (Wiz Khalifa cover)