[dropcap]T[/dropcap]uesday night meant a long overdue catch up with my friends Tina and Ismay; we grabbed some dinner at Busaba Eathai and then headed to the Shepherd’s Bush Empire to watch Leon Bridges-who has firmly settled onto the top of my list of all time favourite artists. And if we’re talking about top lists, then that evening’s show was one of my most enjoyable. When I saw Leon Bridges play at the Lexington six months ago, it was his first European appearance, it was an intimate setting and he seemed a little shy. But as the lights twinkled inside the Empire, he was a different person- his busy tour schedule has given him the confidence and ease on stage-and it was infectious.
There’s something about going to a gig that revives me. No matter how tired I am beforehand, as soon as I’m inside a venue and the music starts playing, my mood lifts and I’m re-energised. I left afterwards in much better spirits than I had been all week, it was the perfect pick me up.
Some of the more up tempo songs played made me wish I had on a swishy skirt and it felt like I had been transported back to a 1960s dance hall. For our first dance at our wedding party, I picked Coming Home and hearing and watching it being performed live was super special for me 🙂
It was also special being part of the audience on the last night of his European tour- I’ve not heard such a loud show of appreciation, clapping and whooping from a crowd in forever. It was so loud that his voice was drowned out as he said his thank you’s. I love Leon Bridges- if you love motown, if you love soul, 60’s rhythm and blues, or songs that will hit you right there– you will love him too.