Leon Bridges Tickets

From dishwashing in Fort Worth to performing at The White House for President Obama, the ‘River’ singer has forged an illustrious career thanks to his 1960s-inspired soulful vocals and warm analogue production.

Hailed as the second coming of Sam Cooke, Leon Bridges was plucked from obscurity in 2014 when White Denim’s Austin Jenkins and Josh Block heard the singer-songwriter perform at an open mic night in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, and invited Bridges to the studio to record. Leon Bridges went on to release his single ‘Coming Home’ via Soundcloud, which was recorded live with Jenkins and Block on guitar and drums. With its dusty production and soulful vocals, the track is credited for the Bridges signing with Columbia Records soon after, and remains one of his most-streamed efforts to date. Leon Bridges’ Grammy-nominated debut album Coming Home followed in 2015, providing listeners the perfect introduction to his signature gospel-imbued sound and doo-wop harmonies. Featuring fan-favourite ‘River’, the critically-acclaimed album catapulted Bridges into the spotlight with performances on Saturday Night Live and at The White House where he covered Ray Charles for the Obamas. 

Since these early days, Bridges has broadened his retro sound into something more contemporary; incorporating elements of funk, jazz, and R&B, whilst continuing to use his music as a vessel to reflect on life, love, and his experiences as a Black man in America. Taken from his 2018 sophomore album Good Thing, Grammy-winning ‘Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand’ explores heartbreak and loneliness against a lushly-produced backdrop, meanwhile R&B-inflected ‘Sweeter’ (with Terrace Martin) arrived as a direct response to racial injustice and unrest amidst the George Floyd protests. Featuring standout tracks ‘Motorbike’ and ‘Why Don’t You Touch Me’, Gold-Diggers Sound (2021) sees Bridges double down on this more polished, groove-laden approach to production. Amongst these releases, Leon Bridges also found time to collaborate with Texan-based psychedelic trio Khruangbin on two EPs: Texas Sun (2020) and Texas Moon (2022). Blending Bridges’ smooth soul vocals and heartfelt lyricism with the band’s shimmering instrumentation, the releases have become cult favourites, paving the way for various live performances together, including a slot at Glastonbury in 2022.

Where previous albums have seemingly edged ever further into the modern era, Leon Bridges’ mellow fourth studio album Leon (2024) sees the artist return to his rose-tinted Texas roots, blending soul, country, and introspective folk influences. Featuring lead singles ‘Peaceful Place’ and ‘Laredo’ (replete with jazz flute), the album has been met with high praise, including a five-star review from the Guardian. Bringing Leon to the live setting, Leon Bridges is set to embark on a UK tour in summer 2025.