Khalid Review

Ten years ago, it was nearly impossible to miss the ubiquitous croon of Khalid. His songs were the soundtrack to American adolescence in the 2010s: late-night drives, young love, house parties, the ache of belonging. On Monday night at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU, the now 27-year-old artist proved that his music still holds that same power, delivering a sprawling, 30-plus-song set that marked his first San Diego headlining show in years.

The evening was the San Diego stop on his It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour, his first major headlining run since 2019. Girl group 3Quency — the winners of Netflix's Building the Band competition — opened the night, warming the crowd with their tight harmonies and infectious pop energy before Khalid took the stage.

When Khalid finally emerged atop a shipping container set, the crowd erupted. The dreamy opener "Motion" from his 2018 EP Suncity immediately set a nostalgic tone, followed by "Better," which had the entire venue singing along. By "8TEEN," a crew of dancers had joined him, adding upbeat choreography that felt natural and effortless, letting the star's swagger and charm shine through.

The setlist was a testament to Khalid's remarkable catalog, balancing the youthful energy of American Teen (2017) with the more mature, sensual sound of his 2025 album after the sun goes down. Tension-charged tracks like "out of body," "please don't call (333)," and "in plain sight" reflected his artistic evolution, while intimate moments like "Adore U" and "Please Don't Fall in Love With Me" from 2024's Sincere felt like his truest self being presented to the audience.

A mid-show highlight arrived with a guitar-driven interlude featuring covers of Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years" and Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," offering a welcome breather between the high-energy pop and EDM moments. The crowd's energy peaked during the anthemic "Location," the collaborative hit "lovely," and the EDM-fueled "Silence" and "Rollin," which had the outdoor venue pulsing.

Throughout the night, Khalid's connection with the audience was undeniable. He brought two fans onstage for a heartfelt conversation about what his music meant to them, a reminder that his songs have become intertwined with the memories of a generation.

What sets Khalid apart is his ability to define a certain stage of life for his listeners, to the point where his music becomes memory itself. To express heartbreak as a teen or yearn for the good old days as an adult—and everything in between—Khalid captures it exceptionally. The night closed with the fitting encore of "Young Dumb & Broke," a perfect capstone to a summer night that felt, for a few hours, like a shared, wistful dream.