LIVE REVIEW: LEON BRIDGES @ SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL
With special guests Los Bitchos and Glass Beams
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl came alive on the night of 23 January 2025, for Leon Bridges' stop in Melbourne as part of The Leon Tour. Despite an overcast sky and a light touch of rain, a massive crowd packed into the venue, armed with warm jackets and picnic blankets, ready to soak in a night of soulful music. From groovy openers to Leon’s soul-stirring 90-minute set, the night was rhythm and heart.
The evening started with London-based Los Bitchos, a band blending cumbia, surf rock, and psych-pop into a unique cocktail. Touring their 2024 album Talkie Talkie, they brought their signature instrumental sound to life with shimmering guitar riffs and bouncing rhythms. Songs like "Hi!" and "The Link is About to Die" set the tone for the night, as their high energy had us swaying early on. Their upbeat and fun stage presence was just the antidote to Melbourne's dreary weather.
Next up, Naarm/Melbourne’s very own Glass Beams turned the Bowl into a mystical oasis. Performing tracks from their 2024 album Mahal, the producer Rajan Silva and the band transported the audience with atmospheric, instrumental soundscapes steeped in eastern-inspired psychedelia. I immediately thought the scene felt like something straight out of Dune, with sandy tones and costumes that felt both earthy and otherworldly. Each track built on the last, creating a spellbinding momentum that held us in a trance. For many, me included, this was a first encounter with Glass Beams' music and I will be listening to them more and more as the days go on.
At 9:30 pm, the man of the hour took the stage, and from the first notes of "When a Man Cries," it was clear the night was about to become very special. Leon Bridges has an ability to make a big show feel intimate, and his velvety vocals paired with the Bowl’s acoustics created magic.
The setlist showcased Leon’s evolution, spanning classics like "Coming Home" and "River" to newer cuts that leaned into his Texan roots and collaborations with Khruangbin. A standout moment came during the performance of “Mariella” and “Texas Sun”, where the crowd swayed under a soft drizzle, fully immersed in the rich, sunlit warmth of his sound and stage lighting.
Leon’s energy was contagious as he grooved to tracks like “If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)” and “Steam”, getting the audience on their feet for a soulful dance party. He dialled it back with the emotional weight of “Lisa Sawyer” during the encore, before closing with “Beyond,” a track that left us all wanting another encore.
Leon Bridges and his stellar supports delivered an unforgettable night that felt like a celebration. From the playful Los Bitchos to the meditative soundscapes of Glass Beams, the evening built perfectly toward Leon’s excellent performance. Rain or not, this was one of those concerts that will stay etched in the memory.