Leon Bridges: Soul Re-Emergence

Leon Bridges w/ Kali Uchis
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
11.02.15

Drawing comparisons to icons such as Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, native Texan Leon Bridges has burst onto the music scene with his vintage sound, smooth vocals, and undeniable style. With his debut album Coming Home released this year, Bridges is headlining his first national tour behind the momentum of his soulful work.

Donning a throwback tuxedo jacket and shirt, Bridges strutted onto the stage at the Neptune and began his set with the ballad “Doris,” but his set really took off with the first notes to his boogie rock track “Flowers,” which immediately turned the Neptune Theater into a Sixties dance club. Less tickets should have been sold to make room to dance.

Bridges’ music is incredibly genuine, with songs like “Better Man” telling a story of redemption in love; a lovely tribute to his mother with “Lisa Sawyer,” and a baring of the soul to the woman he loves with “Coming Home.” The crowd could feel his heart with every lyric. He is most definitely a storyteller.

While his upbeat grooves are so easily spun, it was his stripped down performances that resonated with me the most. With only his guitar and back-up singer, Brittini Jessie, a long time friend who has been with Bridges since day one, he delved into the incredibly soulful gospel ballad “River.” I’ve never heard the Neptune become so quiet so quickly.

Over my lifetime, the musical landscape has seen many neo-movements, like the revival of Swing music in the late Nineties and neo-soul in the early 2000’s. I’m hoping that Leon Bridges is the crest of a wave that not only brings vintage soul into mainstream, but also encourages the mainstream to look to the past as well.

Opening for Bridges was sultry Colombian-born singer Kali Uchis, who brought her own fusion of pop, reggae, and R&B to the stage with fervor, energy, and attitude.

Leon Bridges Set List:
Doris
Flowers
Brown Skin Girl
Let You Down
Better Man
In My Arms
Pull Away
Smooth Sailin’
Twistin’ & Groovin’
Coming Home
Lisa Sawyer
Daisy Mae
Shine
River
Encore
Pussy Footin’
Mississippi Kisses