The energy inside TD Garden on a chilly December night was palpable, a mix of anticipation and chaotic excitement. Fans ranging from die-hard long-time MGK supporters to newer listeners drawn in by Tickets to My Downfall and his more recent punk-rock evolution packed the arena, filling it with a buzzing energy that could have powered the city for a week. By the time Machine Gun Kelly took the stage, the crowd was primed and ready for a show that promised to be as unpredictable as it was electrifying.
From the opening notes of “Outlaw Overture,” it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical run-of-the-mill pop-punk show. The lights erupted in a flurry of strobes and colored beams, immediately setting the tone for an evening of high-octane performances. MGK, ever the showman, stormed the stage with an intensity that was part rock star, part chaotic energy burst, instantly connecting with the audience.
The setlist cleverly interwove his newer punk-rock material with nods to his earlier hip-hop roots. “Starman” and “Don’t Wait Run Fast” hit early, serving as a reminder of his lyrical dexterity and charisma. The crowd bounced in unison during “Maybe / Wild Boy / El Diablo,” a mashup that gave a nostalgic nod to the MGK of the past while reminding everyone he’s still evolving. By the time “Ay!” came through, the energy in the arena was nothing short of electric, the mix of rapid-fire rhymes and screaming guitars creating an adrenaline-charged atmosphere.
One of the night’s standout moments came with the tour debut of “Beauty,” a collaboration with Trippie Redd. The song’s melodic undertones contrasted MGK’s typically abrasive delivery, offering a moment of unexpected vulnerability that resonated with the crowd. It was a perfect reminder that, despite the high energy and chaos of his shows, MGK knows how to balance intensity with emotional resonance.
The transition into Tickets To My Downfall: 5 Year Anniversary Performance (Part 1) marked a pivot in the evening. The nostalgic rush of hearing “Title Track,” “Kiss Kiss,” and “Drunk Face” live transported the audience back five years, when MGK first fully embraced his pop-punk alter ego. The production elements here were particularly impressive: pyrotechnics, a rolling light show, and synchronized visual effects gave each track the grandeur it deserved, elevating the songs from studio favorites to full-blown stadium anthems. “Bloody Valentine” and “Forget Me Too” had the crowd singing every lyric back at him, the collective voices creating a moment of communal intensity that’s hard to replicate outside a live show.
MGK’s charisma was on full display throughout, especially during quieter, more intimate moments. Walking to the B-stage for “Secrets” and performing “Don’t Let Me Go” and “Who I Was” allowed him to break the fourth wall with the audience. Covering NF’s “Who I Was” and Zach Bryan’s “Sun to Me” was a bold choice that paid off, showing his appreciation for contemporary artists and his ability to seamlessly incorporate different styles into his set. These moments felt personal, like a private show within a massive arena, and they provided a breather between the high-octane hits.
Returning to the main stage, the audience was treated to covers that bridged his Boston performance to the city itself. The rendition of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, performed with Julia Wolf, was nothing short of hauntingly beautiful. The combination of MGK’s gritty vocals and Wolf’s melodic clarity turned a classic ’90s hit into a shared cathartic experience, proving once again that MGK can adapt and reinterpret material in ways that feel both reverent and fresh.
The second half of the night, labeled Tickets To My Downfall: 5 Year Anniversary Performance (Part 2), leaned into full-on pop-punk energy. “Lonely,” “WWIII,” and “Concert for Aliens” were executed with precision, each track hitting harder live than on the record. “My Ex’s Best Friend” and “Jawbreaker” had fans moshing, jumping, and singing along with an intensity that made it feel like a smaller, more personal club show despite the vastness of TD Garden.
MGK’s ability to shift the mood mid-concert was on full display during the quieter, emotionally resonant moments. The dedication of “Play This When I’m Gone” to his daughter added an intimate, humanizing layer to the performance. Similarly, “Sweet Coraline,” dedicated to a fan in the crowd, showcased his awareness and appreciation for his audience, transforming what could have been a purely performative set into a more interactive, heartfelt experience.
The finale brought the evening to a fever pitch. Songs like “Papercuts,” “Your Name Forever,” and the crowd-chosen “Why Are You Here” combined intense instrumentation with MGK’s signature vocal rasp, creating a whirlwind of punk energy. The closing tracks, “Cliché,” “Sweet Coraline,” and “Vampire Diaries,” left the audience breathless, sweaty, and exhilarated. There’s something to be said for a show that not only entertains but leaves you feeling like you’ve just experienced something larger than life, and MGK delivered precisely that.
Visually, the production was as tight as the setlist. The use of multi-level staging, including the B-stage, pyrotechnics, and dynamic lighting, kept the audience engaged for the entire two-plus-hour show. MGK’s interaction with the crowd—leaping into the pit, high-fiving fans, and even gesturing toward his daughter backstage—made the performance feel personal despite the massive venue. Every jump, every scream, every shout of “Boston!” was reciprocated tenfold by the audience, creating a symbiotic energy that carried the show from start to finish.
Vocally, MGK has matured significantly over the years. His ability to alternate between rapping, singing, and screaming without losing clarity or intensity is impressive. Songs like “I Think I’m OKAY” and “All I Know” were executed flawlessly, and even in the most chaotic moments, he maintained control over the stage. Backing musicians and touring collaborators like Julia Wolf and Trippie Redd were equally stellar, blending seamlessly into the high-energy environment and ensuring every note landed perfectly.
The setlist itself was a masterclass in pacing and audience engagement. By blending old hits, new releases, covers, and deep cuts, MGK crafted a journey through his musical evolution. The flow from high-energy crowd-pleasers to intimate, emotionally charged moments kept fans on their toes, never allowing the energy to plateau. The decision to include cover songs mid-set was particularly effective, offering fans moments of surprise and nostalgia that complemented his original material.
Throughout the night, MGK’s stage presence was magnetic. He’s a performer who thrives on chaos, but there’s an unmistakable method to the madness. Every jump, guitar smash, and crowd interaction feels calculated to amplify audience engagement. He knows how to command attention, how to pull the energy of thousands into a single, cohesive experience. The Boston crowd, known for its high standards, responded with unrelenting enthusiasm, moshing, singing, and cheering with a dedication that only enhanced the show.
By the time the final notes of “Vampire Diaries” rang out, it was clear this was more than just a concert—it was an experience. MGK had taken the audience on a journey through his career, blending punk, rap, and rock influences into a show that was as diverse as it was cohesive. From the tour debut of “Beauty” to the intimate dedications and high-octane hits, the concert struck a perfect balance between spectacle and sincerity. TD Garden wasn’t just a venue that night—it was a living, breathing entity, pulsating with energy, emotion, and shared appreciation for one of modern music’s most polarizing and fascinating artists.
In short, Machine Gun Kelly at TD Garden was a masterclass in contemporary performance art. It was chaotic, heartfelt, nostalgic, and exhilarating all at once. He’s a performer who refuses to be pigeonholed, constantly evolving, yet remains deeply connected to his fans. The combination of strong musicianship, tight production, dynamic setlist, and sheer charisma made this show one for the books. Anyone in attendance left feeling like they had been part of something rare, something electric, and something undeniably MGK.
Setlist:
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Outlaw Overture
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Starman
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Don’t Wait Run Fast
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Maybe / Wild Boy / El Diablo
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Ay!
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Beauty (MGK & Trippie Redd) (Tour debut)
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Goddamn
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I Think I’m OKAY
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Tickets To My Downfall: 5 Year Anniversary Performance (Part 1)
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Title Track
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Kiss Kiss
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Drunk Face
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Bloody Valentine
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Forget Me Too
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All I Know
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Secrets (walks to B-stage towards the end)
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B-Stage
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Don’t Let Me Go
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Who I Was (NF cover)
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Sun to Me (Zach Bryan cover)
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Lonely Road (walks back to main stage)
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Main Stage
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Iris (Goo Goo Dolls cover with Julia Wolf)
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Tickets To My Downfall: 5 Year Anniversary Performance (Part 2)
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Lonely
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WWIII
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Concert for Aliens
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My Ex’s Best Friend
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Jawbreaker
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Nothing Inside
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Banyan Tree – Interlude
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Play This When I’m Gone (dedicated to his daughter)
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Finale
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Papercuts
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Your Name Forever
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Why Are You Here (crowd choice)
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Cliché
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Sweet Coraline (dedicated to a fan named Coraline)
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Vampire Diaries
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The night at TD Garden wasn’t just a testament to MGK’s musical evolution—it was a living, breathing celebration of a career that defies categorization, and a reminder that he’s at his absolute best when he’s unapologetically himself.