D4VD’S KILLER SOLD OUT SHOW IN SLIVER SPRING
WRITING AND PHOTOS BY EMMALEE SULLIVAN
On August 24th, Gen Z singer-songwriter D4vd sold out his second night at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD. By door time, the line of fans stretched around the building, eventually breaking and continuing across the street.
Inside, fans rushed to secure their spot near the stage, greeted by a mesmerizing set design: vines draped with white roses and white marble benches framing the scene. Even before the music started, the atmosphere felt immersive.
One highlight before D4vd even stepped on stage was his carefully curated pre-show playlist. Featuring songs from artists he’s collaborated with, like KATSEYE, the crowd lit up when tracks like “Gabriela” and “Gnarly” played. Fans (myself included) danced along, turning the wait into its own performance.
At 8:00 p.m., pop-rock band Laundry Day opened the night with “R U READY?” Already known for their meme-worthy parody videos online (my favorite being their playful twist on The 1975’s “I’m In Love With You” — “I’m In Love With Your Mom”), the band’s energy immediately took over the room. Having followed Laundry Day for years, it was exciting to see them share a stage with D4vd after collaborations earlier this year on their social media. Their set hit a high point with their long-awaited single “SUPERMODEL,” which proved to be well worth the hype.
By 9:00 p.m., anticipation for D4vd reached a peak. The lights dimmed, flashes lit up the stage, and after a wave of screaming fans and raised phones, D4vd leapt onto the stage, launching into “What Are You Waiting For.” The Silver Spring crowd shouted every lyric in unison, bouncing with the beat, creating an electric start to the night.
Just one song in, D4vd stunned everyone by throwing a spontaneous backflip on stage. A jaw-dropping moment that sent the room into chaos. As a former gymnast, I know how tough that move is under pressure, and seeing him pull it off effortlessly only amplified the energy.
Throughout the set, D4vd kept his connection with fans at the forefront. Whether it was making eye contact while singing, holding hands with fans in the front row, or borrowing phones to film from the stage, every interaction felt personal.
One of D4vd’s most endearing traits is how “chronically online” he is, something his fans deeply relate to. At one point, a fan yelled out a TikTok meme (“SDIYBT”), and D4vd immediately shouted it back with a laugh, proving he’s not just aware of internet culture, but fluent in it.
While many of his songs carry melancholic lyrics, the live experience flips that mood entirely. His melodies, paired with his energy and the passion of the crowd, turned even the saddest tracks into moments of pure joy.
By the end of the night, it was clear why D4vd is quickly rising: he’s not just talented, but approachable, funny, and genuinely in tune with his audience. Instead of feeling like an idol on a pedestal, he comes across as a friend — which makes his concerts feel less like performances and more like reunions.
