Live Review: Leon Bridges, Noah Kahan

Returning to Australia for the fourth time in his career, Leon Bridges is back again to promote his most recent album, Good Thing. Moving away from the classic Sam Cooke-inspired sound of his first album Coming Home, Good Thing takes a more contemporary funk-infused R&B direction, one that Australian audiences have been dying to see more of since his 2018 visit.

Opening for Bridges is fellow American Noah Kahan. Though best known for his banger of a collaboration with legend Julia Michaels, Hurt Somebody, Kahan proves tonight that he has plenty more tunes (some yet to be released) deserving of recognition. He kicks things off with his 2017 single Fine, taking a moment to relax before vibing out with his band and apparently finding his mojo. The man is immediately likeable, admitting to the crowd that "without this band I’d be the Jewish Ed Sheeran, and no one wants that". His folk-pop style is simultaneously emotional and catchy, allowing him to connect with the crowd more effectively than most. Rounding out his set with the song that put him on the map, Hurt Somebody, Kahan leaves the stage with a few more fans than when he stepped onto it.

Noah Kahan. Photos by Jade Ferguson.

After a short wait, the lights dim, and a five-piece band and two back-up singers take their places on stage. They launch into a lively version of If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be). Leon Bridges is yet to take the stage but his velvety smooth vocals drift across the crowd from somewhere backstage. His absence builds anticipation in the room, with every neck in the audience craning in the hope of catching a glimpse of him. Finally, he takes the stage, dancing over to his silver, rhinestone-studded mic. He surveys the crowd for a moment before giving himself to the music. 

Bridges oozes cool, decked out tonight in high-waisted flares, a zebra-printed shirt and a fur bucket hat. Both his look and his sound are the perfect fusion of '60s soul, '90s R&B and something entirely unique to Bridges. He grooves his way through new tracks like Bad Bad News and Beyond as well as classics such as Coming Home and Smooth Sailin'. The night takes a sentimental turn when Bridges delivers a passionate rendition of Lisa Sawyer, an ode to his mother. Following this he immediately switches up the pace, launching into classic tune Brown Skin Girl, encouraging the crowd to have a boogie. Finally, to close the set, Bridges takes the stage with back-up singer Brittni Jessie to treat the crowd to a beautifully smooth performance of his biggest track, River, before inviting the band back on stage for one last dance. The tune that rounded out the evening was Mississippi Kisses, an underrated banger from Bridges' first album and a toe-tapping tune that saw the whole of The Tivoli twisting and moving.

Despite his constant comparisons to R&B and soul legends like Sam Cooke and James Brown, Bridges is proving more and more to be his very own version of talented cool — a legend in the making.