REVIEW: LEON BRIDGES – SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL – MELBOURNE – 23.01.2025
Review: Craig Eriksson. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
As we made our way to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne to see Leon Bridges, it was drizzling rain, wild winds and grey rain clouds. By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped, the sky had cleared and the sun had come out. Typical four seasons in one day in our magnificent city of Melbourne.
Los Bitchos were the opening support for the evening and were a fun, fresh, young band that predominantly played instrumental music blending numerous genres to create their own unique sound – Cumbia / Latin / Turkish psychedelic rock / surf rock / funk / pop / dance music from the 70’s and 80s. What was noticeable to us was they are all talented musicians with their drummer (Nic) being the standout. I saw some of the crowd salsa dancing along to the music while others swayed along to the groove getting lost in their dreamy music. Each song blended into the next creating a continuous set of their songs. The band formed in London back in 2017 and are a multi-cultural band with members Serra Petale (guitar) from Western Australia, Agustina Ruiz (keystra/synthesisers) from Uruguay, Josefine Jonsson(bass) from Sweden and Nic Crawshaw (drums/percussion) from South London. I noticed they also had an additional guitarist playing with them tonight. We really enjoyed their set and songs such as – Hi!, Don’t Change, Kiki you Complete Me and La Bomba.
During Los Bitchos set the crowd had noticeably built up and the general admission grass area was absolutely packed with lively fans all out to have an enjoyable evening. Fans brought along their folding chairs and picnic rugs and were lovin’ this outdoor music event. Everyone looked so happy and were certainly up for a good time and some wonderful music. What really stood out was the crowd was a mix of all ages.
Glass Beams are a 3-piece band from Melbourne, Australia. Like Los Bitchos, they also predominantly played instrumental music blending Eastern (Indian/Turkish) music with Western music creating psychedelic hypnotic rock which almost felt like Middle Eastern electronica dance music and infectious grooves. A very distinctive and unique sound. The band members wore intricate bejewelled doily-like masks creating a mystique and interesting look and they had a backdrop of patterns projected onto a large brown curtain. Rajan Silva is the founder, producer and multi-instrumentalist in the band and the other two members are anonymous. The drummer/percussionist played drums, bongos and chimes.
Leon Bridges is an American singer, songwriter and record producer born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. His music career started back in 2014 when he mainly performed 1950’s and 60’s style R&B/ soul music. In 2014, his song ‘Coming Home’caught the attention of record labels and Columbia Records signed him up and he released his retro-soul debut album ‘Coming Home’ in 2015. It was so impressive that it skyrocketed Bridges to huge success and popularity. His music has been compared to the likes of Otis Redding and the late Sam Cooke with a hint of Country music thrown in for good measure.
Bridges had a brilliant 7-piece band with a multitude of instruments set up on stage. The band consisted of a Hammond organ/piano, percussionist, drummer, bass player, lead guitarist/bongos/backing vocalist, slide-guitar/guitar/keys and acoustic guitarist. The sound they created sounded amazing and was robust and captivating. Bridges back up vocalist and guitarist Emily Elbert stood out throughout the show and Emily is a multi-instrumentalist even playing the congas during one song. Her performance added depth to the performance.
The stage setting consisted of large sails draped down from the ceiling that kept changing colour throughout the show from shades of red, purple, blue and yellow. The stage lighting was quite dim creating an ambient, atmospheric and vintage affect. The band came out first and started playing and then Bridges walks out centre stage gracing the stage looking like a cool cat wearing white flared pants, a tasselled tan jacket and Texas cowboy boots.
Bridges and his band performed a great mix of songs showcasing his stellar career playing a 20-song set. 8 songs were from his latest album ‘Leon’ (2024), 6 songs were from his debut ‘Coming Home’ (2015) and 3 songs from ‘Good Things’ (2018). Bridges blends soul, folk and country into one.
They opened with WHEN A MAN CRIES (2024) then led into the upbeat song PANTHER CITY (2024), both from the ‘Leon’ album. Bridges had the crowd in the palm of his hands right from the very start. We were seated down near the front of the stage and many fans left their seats and rushed down to the front to dance and get as close as they could to Bridges.
BETTER MAN and FLOWERS from Coming Home (2015) album were next giving us a taste of his early releases. Bridges rich, velvety, soulful voice is so smooth, laid-back and timeless and he sings from the heart. His music has a gospel meets blues sound blossomed into doo-wop and soul which was highlighted in these two beautiful songs. The timbre in his songs creates different moods and emotions. Some are uplifting and joyful about life, family, relationships and his love of Texas, whereas others are heartfelt and about pain, struggle and loss.
COMING HOME (2015), RIVER (2015) and LISA SAWYER (2015) were definitely crowd favourites. Personally, RIVER was one of my favourite songs in the show with its gospel sound and his velvety soulful voice as he sings about a time of struggle in his life.
They sang a few songs from Bridges collaboration with fellow-Texans Khruangbin including MARIELLA (2022) and TEXAS SUN (2020). The band sounded incredible during these songs.
YOU DON’T KNOW and IF IT FEELS GOOD (THEN IT MUST BE GOOD) from Good Things (2018) are funky and had the crowd dancing and grooving along. Bridges even did a few swagger moves during these songs that had the crowd roar with applause.
SMOOTH SAILIN’ (2015) is an incredible song and reminded me of Pharrell Williams and is a more up tempo, funky kinda song.
Bridges played guitar on a few songs such as THAT’S WHAT I LOVE (2024) about his hometown of Texas from the ‘Leon’ album.
STEAM from Gold-Diggers Sound (2021) is a very smooth dance song and had the crowd all singing and grooving along in unison.
During the encore he performed a wonderful solo on LISA SAWYER (2015) just him on an empty stage singing and playing his acoustic guitar. This heartfelt song is the story of his mother who grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and is a tribute to her.
The show concluded with BEYOND from Good Things (2018). This upbeat love song about what it feels like to have potentially found ‘the one’ had the crowd singing along (some arm in arm) and Bridges warm tenor melted the crowd.
It was a very feel-good vibe and beautiful atmosphere at the Bowl and as I looked around at everyone as they were leaving, everyone was smiling and happy that they had just been part of something special.
SET LIST:
When A Man Cries (2024)
Panther City (2024)
Better Man 2015)
Flowers (2015)
Laredo (2024)
Coming Home (2015)
That’s What I Love (2024)
Never Satisfied (2024)
Mariella (Khruangbin & Leon Bridges cover) (2022)
Steam (2021)
Ain’t Got Nothing On You (2024)
Texas Sun (Khruangbin & Leon Bridges cover) (2020)
You Don’t Know (2018)
If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be) (2018)
Can’t Have It All (2024)
River (2015)
Peaceful Place (2024)
Smooth Sailin’ (2015)
Encore:
Lisa Sawyer (2015)
Beyond (2018)