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Biography
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, however raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Bridges initially picked up the guitar as a vehicle for his songwriting. Whilst working as a dishwasher in a local venue, the singer would regularly perform at open-mic events around Fort Worth, noted for his retro style and silky-smooth vocals. With a rapidly growing reputation, Bridges met White Denim guitarist Austin Jenkins in early 2014, who subsequently watched Bridge perform a show in north Texas. With little time wasted, Bridges, Jenkins and White Denim drummer, Joshua Block, began recording and producing the soul singer’s early songs using old, authentic equipment.
In late 2014 Bridges released a pair of demo tracks, “Coming Home” and “Lisa Sawyer”, to his Soundcloud page, which earned significant international radio play. Following which the singer inked a deal with Columbia Records in December 2014, as well as embarking on his first national tour in early 2015. His track “Coming Home” was officially released in February 2015 earning widespread critical acclaim and going viral within the same month.
Bridges subsequently toured in support of Sharon Van Etten in New York and performed a number of shows alongside Jenkins and Block before they returned to their responsibilities with White Denim. In June 2015, Bridges released his debut studio album “Coming Home”, garnering both positive and nostalgic reviews from the critical press. Charting at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, No. 8 on the UK Albums Chart, and No. 8 in Australia, the record catapulted Bridges to international success, aided by a extensive promotional campaign by Columbia Records.
Live reviews
Leon Bridges' Good Thing show at ACL Moody Theater in Austin, Texas was the for real BEST THING I've seen in a long time! (and I am not prone to hyperbole) He led the audience through quiet stories like "Georgia to Texas" and magical love stories like "Beyond" and sexy times like "Mrs." Also, his smooth moves stirred up things, and got the sold-out crowd on its feet for "Bad Bad News" and " Smooth Sailin." He brought new band members, a new fashion style, and new jazzy sounds to his live show; however, he also gave his faithful fans the songs we know by heart from Coming Home - "Better Man" and "Lisa Sawyer." We could especially feel the Leon Bridges love during the stop-the-show greatness of his encore performance of "The River" with Brittni Jessie! Folks were still groovin to "Mississippi Kisses" even as they exited the theater. Merci beaucoup to LEON BRIDGES and all of his team!
ginger-keller
WOW!!!!! Leon Bridges kept the audience engaged, and everyone was into it! If you miss this artist, I feel sorry for you. The energy is wonderful...everyone who goes WANTS to be there and to support live music. Beautiful back up vocals by Brittni Jessie. I don't really know how to describe the experience except to say that young, old, all races and sizes were here. When Mr. Bridges asked everyone to hug the person next to them and say "I love you" AND we did just that,I was hoping he would run for president. lol!
Fantastic show, three song encore. Great musician with him. and amazing opening set by Lianne La Havas. Think about this...when was the last time you went to a show and everyone was in their seats for the OPENING ACT? An amazing talent with a beautiful voice and great original songs.
No wonder Leon's shows are selling out. he's GREAT!
Monday 28th September. Shepherds Bush Empire. Leon Bridges.
Short and sweet today which sums up Leon and Bridges. Bridges is the new kid on the block when it comes to sixties soul. His diminutive frame hides a powerful voice reminiscent of Sam Cooke.
Surrounded by a tight older band and an amazing backing singer Bridges rattles through his debut album and a few covers in a little over 75 minutes. The 3 minute pop songs segue into each other and it’s all over in a blink of the eye.
It’s a polished slick show with the standard between song banter which lets it down a little as ironically it does lack a little genuine soul and feeling. There’s a handful of very good songs on the album and it will be interesting to see how this clear talent develops over the next album or two.
On the whole a good night and certainly one for the future
garyw66
I started following Leon online in London in 2015 and couldn't get enough of his soulful modern take on a genre of music that seems to have been forgotten. It's like he's breathed life into dusty old vinyls and has been transported from the 1930's (through 40's, 50's and 60's) Leon takes elements from all of these eras and gives them a unique charm all his own. His crowd banter and relationship with his band was warm and genuine and his vocals were impeccable. I would have liked to have seen him play guitar in a few more songs but he played so many songs that we were not left for wanting.
lauren-grigor
I was looking forward to hearing Leon Bridges live. I really enjoyed his CD.
It's too bad that I sat beside two semi-alcoholics who had to get up several times to either buy more beer or use the bathroom. And in front of two wankers who either sang along (not so bad) or yelled their conversation though the songs they didn't know the words to.
I had a great seat to see the show, but when everyone stood up, I couldn't see anything but people's backs.
What I did see (during the times that people were seated) and heard was great!
Leon Bridges: 9/10
Concert experience: 2/10
ljstubbs
It was his first show of the year and it showed. His vocals were noticably off (went flat a shocking number of times) and he was also less than emotionally intense. I'd attribute a lot of this to working-out-the-new-set kinks and that Municipal Auditorium has terrible acoustics. I'd like to give him another chance later in the tour. But I have a feeling that his Houston Rodeo show tonight is not going to go well. It's a big room, he hasn't sold many tickets and he's not quite ready yet. I hope I'm wrong.
earlkabong
Overcrowded. Went with my girlfriend who ended up panicking because of the amount of people. To us it was far too crowded. I’ve been to festivals where it was similar. Just seemed unsafe in the O2 Academy. We ended up leaving to the entrance and just listened from there. It seems like many others were the same, leaving to get some space. It’s a shame since it ruined it for us because the music sounded amazing. I’m just a bit skeptical and think more tickets were sold than the venue could handle.
lewis-henry-1
Wow! Wow! Wow! I had heard one or two of Leon's songs before the show and loved them. But it didn't prepare me for the full onslaught of his energy on stage and his music getting the crowd fan I g in the aisles. The Hippodrome in Baltimore added to the feeling of witnessing the rebirth of the Motown sound with a modem twist. I can't wait to see him again when he passes through town.
I highly recommend everyone to catch one if the hottest young acts before he rises to playing much larger venues.
kevin-martini
Very handsome, beautiful, soulful voice, Great energy and funky dance moves. He should be thankful to have an extremely talented band and backup vocalist, but i absolutely loved the saxophinist. Wish the set was longer. Would have been nice to hear a few covers but I understand he wants to build his own identity/brand. Love, love, love the venue and the dance party right after. Great crowd, everyone acted like they had sense.
tashamac89
I wouldn't go to see him again. His music and performance style suits smaller intimate venue. He didn't really connect with the crowd unfortunately and the sound wasn't great. His dancing and vocals were incredible though but he was more interested in the band then the audience. We cam out in the rain and travelled from the highlands of scotland to be blown away ...but it was too polished.
ruff-quack
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