Big Time Rush – TD Pavilion at the Mann – Philadelphia (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)
- PopEntertainment
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
Big Time Rush – TD Pavilion at the Mann – Philadelphia, PA – July 30, 2025
The guys of Big Time Rush took the stage at Philly’s TD Pavilion at the Mann Saturday night for the 18th stop on the In Real Life World Tour. What makes this tour so special is that BTR not only plays every song that was ever played on their Nickelodeon show, but they’re also joined by Stephen Kramer Glickman and Katelyn Tarver, who played Gustavo Rocque and Jo Taylor on the show. It was a night of nostalgia and good energy that I won’t forget.
One of the best aspects of a Big Time Rush show is the atmosphere. Before even walking into the venue, I was greeted by a sea of bandanas, tree hats, homemade T-shirts, and the most creative posters I had ever seen at a show. It was awesome to see how this band brings people together, from OG fans to new fans, and everything in between. I’ve been lucky enough to see the guys perform several times since 2010, so I was extra amped to hear the soundtrack of my childhood performed live.
Kicking off the night, Stephen Kramer Glickman hit the stage first, performing a cover of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” with a rock twist. Stephen is not only an extremely talented actor, but also an incredible vocalist and performer – his stage presence is unmatched. He went on to play covers of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License. It was then time for Stephen’s last song of the night. He introduced the track, sharing that before he was Gustavo on Big Time Rush and Shrek on Broadway, he worked the “Dream Girls” drag show on Santa Monica Boulevard, which has a deep connection to the following song. To everyone’s surprise, Stephen began to play Chappell Roan’s iconic “Pink Pony Club.” This had everyone on their feet – from kids to their parents. It was such a magical experience.
Up next was Katelyn Tarver’s set. Before her performance, I had only heard a few of her songs. Needless to say, I’m now a fan for life. The intro music began playing, and Katelyn ran on stage, beaming, wearing a crop top with “Philly cheese-Kate” on the front and “Go Birds!” on the back. That was the most “Philly” shirt she could’ve worn, and the fans ate it up, myself included! She kicked off her set with “Hurt Like That,” followed by “Nicer,” and a few other original tracks. Katelyn has gained quite a fan base since releasing her own music, and it was so cool to watch fans sing her lyrics back to her. To end her set, Katelyn introduced my personal favorite song of hers, “#1,” sharing with the audience, “I know you all know me as Jo Taylor, but if you want to get to know me as Katelyn Tarver, this song is a good place to start.” I have a feeling Katelyn will become the next big thing.
After a few minutes, the amphitheater started buzzing with anticipation for their favorite four guys to come out. The lights went down, the “Big Time Rush” theme song and video started to play, and the. Crowd. Went. Wild. Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan appeared on stage, finishing the song where the theme song clip left off. I was hit with so much emotion, as a fan of 16 years, watching the artists that carried my childhood, and teen years, sing the song that kickstarted their career as a group. They went on to play “Windows Down,” “Music Sounds Better,” “Superstar,” and other hits from throughout the eras of Big Time Rush. The setlist included some unexpected mashups of old and new songs like “Shot in the Dark / Big Night” and “Famous / Oh Yeah.” The guys eventually invited Stephen back to the stage and sang various piano ballad versions of their songs, including “Like Nobody’s Around” led by Stephen, “Cover Girl” led by Kendall, “You’re Not Alone” led by Carlos, “We Are” led by James, “Stuck” led by Logan, and then the unforgettable TV show song “Giant Turd,” which the guys dedicated to Stephen.
A few songs later, the guys began performing “Halfway There,” but rather than performing on stage, they took the show to the stands, walking through the audience, hugging, high-fiving, and singing with fans. Luckily for attendees sitting in the back, the guys made their way over to the B-stage, which was conveniently located right in front of the rear seats and the lawn. After performing several fan-favorites on the secondary stage, BTR welcomed Katelyn Tarver back to sing “Count On You.” This was such an unexpected, exciting surprise. On the way back to the main stage, each member of the group pulled one lucky fan to be serenaded on stage as the “Worldwide Girls” of the evening. All four of the girls who were picked were so grateful and were clearly genuine fans, which was heartwarming to see.
A few mashups and tons of songs later, it was time for the long-awaited encore songs – “Til I Forget About You” and “Boyfriend.” For longtime fans, these two tracks are incredibly nostalgic and reminiscent of the beginning of Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan’s journey as a group. Hearing these songs live after so many years was indescribable. If you see any concert this summer or fall, make it the In Real Life World Tour; you won’t regret it.
Kayla Marra
Copyright ©2025 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: August 4, 2025.
Photos by Emma Fox © 2025. All rights reserved.
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