Leon Bridges Takes Charge at the Fillmore Miami Beach

Tues., Sept. 13

Leon Bridges and his band kept the crowd moving and grooving.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. ā€“ If you had walked into the Fillmore Miami Beach on Tuesday night, you might have wondered what decade you were living in.Ā  It was a great night of retro sounds and positive attitudes coming from the stage at the Jackie Gleason Theater when Leon Bridges performed. Ā What a pleasant break from the tired clubby sound of most popular music.Ā  The audience wasn't overwhelmingly large but still big enough for a rowdy show.Ā  Those fans got to enjoy a sweet night of terrific singing, playing and showmanship.

Lianne La Havas opened the show, at first solo on a couple of numbers, then with her tight band. Ā She played electric guitar and sang throughout her set; switching axes 3 times to suit the mood of the particular song. She is British by way of Greece & Jamaica, as she told us from the stage before introducing a song she wrote about her parents. A very skilled jazz guitarist and powerful vocalist, she kept the audience engaged with sing and clap-alongs throughout her set.Ā 

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But the man everyone was waiting for had yet to hit the stage. Ā  Both groups kept fairly minimal stage sets; guitar, bass, keyboards, drums-and not a very big kit at that.Ā  It made for a quick switch-out between bands and then Leon Bridges' group bounded out from offstage and got the crowd pumped up for Leon; who came out dancing and singing!Ā  If you have not heard Leon Bridges yet, you need to get on that! Ā This talented young man is going to be a huge star.

His sound evokes memories of mid to late-60s soul classics; legends like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, that Stax Sound.Ā  But Bridges makes it all his own; writing and performing his own original songs that already sound like classics! His assured delivery and undeniable charisma endear him to his fans, who scream and shout and dance throughout the show. Ā 

Being the new artist that he is, Bridges' set was heavy on songs from his debut album, "Coming Home"; instant hits like the opener "Smooth Sailin'", "Pull Away", "Better Man" and "Lisa Sawyer".Ā  He showed his stage presence throughout the show; leading the audience and his band where he wanted them to go, even when he flubbed some between-song banter that didn't even fluster the crack players in his group.

Bridges was dancing and singing and moving all over the stage, giving fans more of what they came for.Ā  He got so worked up he was even sweating through his suit jacket!Ā  I wonder how many he brings with him on tour.Ā  His guitar was propped up against the drum riser all night, untouched until near the end of the show, when he played his massive slow burner, "River".Ā  That song shows his spiritual side, in addition to the soul and blues in his other numbers.

Leon Bridges did not disappoint when it came to the encore either!Ā  After a short break from the stage, everyone was back for a wild ride through Ginuwine's 1996 hit, "Pony"!Ā  Bridges treated fans to "Pussyfootin'" and an exuberant, over-the-top, audience-involved "Mississippi Kisses" to send everyone home on a high note!Ā  It was an amazing show from an artist who is just getting started, on his way to greater and greater music! Do not miss your next chance to see this mega star on the rise.Ā 


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