When Texas-native Leon Bridges was here earlier this year, one thing was for certain: he would be coming back to Australia very soon, and we couldn’t wait. Fast-forward seven months and he’s down under doing the rounds as part of the incredible 2016 line-up for Splendour in The Grass. This time, he brought his distinctive brand of Southern soul, infectious dance moves and undeniable charm along with his brilliant six piece band, to the iconic Forum Theatre in Melbourne.
We arrive to a buzzing venue cloaked in those unmistakable purple lights as one of our favourite Australian artists, Ngaiire, graces the stage for her support slot. With the attention her presence and her voice commands, it is totally unsurprising that much of the audience has turned up early for her set. With one of the most spectacular voices we’ve come across in a while, she envelops the room with an impressive tonal prowess. There is no better example of just how incredible her voice is than when she leaves the room seemingly shaking after a particularly powerful rendition of her single Diggin. She closes to a raucous applause with Once, reminding us precisely why she is one of the most exciting local acts on the Splendour line-up.
The stage is a wonderful shade of gold and as Bridges and his band glide onto it, we seem to be transported to another time and place. Instantly, the images of televised music segments from eras long past spring to mind. However, that isn’t to say that Bridges is stuck without the ability to move. Not at all. While the references to Sam Cooke are perhaps omnipresent, there is no denying that Leon Bridges’ talent is a modern one – only, with a retro perspective.
With his energy as high as his pants, he launches into Smooth Sailing. The fan favourite has bodies twisting and turning immediately and it sets the mood for the duration of the set: fun, warm and high-energy. Bridges takes full advantage of the space offered to him on the Forum stage as he shimmies and shakes through key tracks from his Grammy nominated debut album, Coming Home.
Through Better Man, Bridges sings his case to be given another chance, the cries of “What can I do? What can I do?/To get back to your heart/I’d swim the Mississippi river/If you would give me another start, girl,” fill the theatre so complete, heartfelt need that one wonders if she ever did. A new kind of fervent enthusiasm is born soon after in both performer and audience with Bridges singing the praises of and celebrates Brown Skinned Girls. Throughout the set, Bridges has treated us to new tracks written during the whirlwind that as been his last year. It’s exciting and has us wondering if there’s a follow up to Coming Home in the very near future. The title track for his deb album calls, naturally, for a sing-along, with the room eagerly singing the hook – a duty that is only taken up stronger as the song wraps up.
It is, however, River, in all its soft glory, that quiets the room as most of the band leaves the stage. Standing under a teal light, armed with his guitar and accompanied by keyboardist and backing vocalist, Bridges proves that his skill set is not rendered solely to his panache for nostalgia. He writes beautiful, soulfully modern songs and has the voice to bolster them.
After a lengthy set, an encore seems almost unlikely. Bridges thus far has one album to his name and he’s played a number of new songs tonight. However, after a few minutes, the band walks back out, grinning as they take their places and start up what sounds like an oddly familiar tune. Bridges joins the band on stage and, after quickly saying he’s taking us back to 1996, launches into a sultry, soulful rendition of Ginuwine’s infamous Pony. He gives us a look at a different side to Leon Bridges, one whose secret adoration for beloved and OTT ’90s R&B has paid off as the entire room turns to a cacophony of catcalls and constant, excitable cheers.
Pussyfootin’quickly follows and after he turns away from the crowd to mop his brow one final time before the band launches into the totally bombastic Mississippi Kisses. The song stretches through solos and as they have the entire night, Bridges and band seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves on stage, their love for performing is so clear and utterly contagious. Once again, seeing Leon Bridges live has been both a privilege and a pleasure.
Image: Juan Castro for Howl & Echoes. View the full gallery here.
Leon Bridges plays Splendour in the Grass on