Charlie Puth Charms at Inglewood’s Kia Forum for His Biggest Los Angeles Show to Date: Concert Review

Charlie Puth has long been the subject of a curious pop paradox: despite his undeniable talent, mainstream stardom has often seemed just out of reach. Since his breakout feature on the 2015 megahit "See You Again" alongside Wiz Khalifa, Puth has evolved from schmaltzy doo-wop to razor-sharp pop anthems, always chasing the perfect song. While he has amassed a handful of hits both for himself and others, his cultural footprint never quite matched his musical prowess. However, his ongoing "Whatever’s Clever!" world tour suggests a shift. At his recent stop at Los Angeles' Kia Forum—a venue that has hosted icons from Fleetwood Mac to Kendrick Lamar—Puth drew a devoted crowd intimately familiar with every corner of his catalog, from the earnest "One Call Away" to the sleek "Attention."

The performance underscored how Puth has carved out a sustainable niche in an industry obsessed with streaming numbers. He may not outsell pop's titans, but his fanbase grows steadily with each release, allowing him creative freedom beyond the pressures of megastardom. "Isn't music amazing?" he asked the Forum audience after "Cheating on You," adding, "I want everyone to leave here inspired tonight." This sincerity defines his appeal. Over a 90-minute set, Puth showcased his deep musicality, trading extended jazz outros and riff-offs with backup vocalists, and even dueting with Jennifer Hudson on a powerful cover of "Silver and Gold." Unlike flashy pop spectacles, Puth kept the focus on the songs themselves, acting as bandleader for a tight ensemble of guitarists, bassists, drummers, and singers. The stage was modest—smoke machines, lights, and a screen sufficed—reflecting his belief that the music should speak for itself.

The tour supports Puth's latest album, a mature collection blending yacht rock and City Pop influences. The setlist balanced old favorites with deeper cuts like "Boy" and "Patient With Me," alongside newer tracks such as "Love in Exile" and "Home"—the latter he playfully described as "a little Janet Jackson ripoff." Notable guest appearances included Coco Jones on the velvet-lined "Sideways" and Wiz Khalifa for a penultimate "See You Again." While his fall Blue Note residencies in New York and Los Angeles allowed for improvisational jazz explorations, the Forum show was more polished, sticking closely to recorded arrangements. The tour, which launched in San Diego last week, marks Puth's largest to date, with upcoming dates at New York's Madison Square Garden and Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium.

For Puth, Los Angeles was a homecoming. He moved to the city a decade ago, embarking on his journey to become pop music's resident artist-in-residence—a role underscored by his "Professor Puth" social media series, where he teaches music theory. Performing at the Forum, a venue he once only dreamed of headlining, clearly moved him. "We're at the Forum, ladies and gentlemen, I never thought we'd be here," he said between "Washed Up" and "LA Girls," pointing to his shirt emblazoned with "LA." The night closed with his recent single "Changes," a fitting anthem for an artist who has evolved steadily—and for the better. As one music critic noted, "Puth's trajectory proves that sustained growth often outpaces fleeting viral fame."