Having a residency at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is at the top of many music artists’ bucket lists. The historic musical landmark is reserved for only the most esteemed, worthy musicians on the landscape. Not only do you have to be simply successful, but you have to match the “vibe,” if you will. You don’t just play the Ryman; you inhabit it.
Leon Bridges did just that over his three-day residency (Nov. 11-13), and I was able to catch the opening night show. The introductory act, Hermanos Gutierrez, relied completely on steel guitars and short stories to set the scene, and the place was packed out from the very beginning of their set.
But the excitement for the main show was in the air, like a palpable fog permeating the venue. At this point, it was unclear whether or not Bridges would adhere only to his new album (which has been received well by fans and critics alike), or whether he would dip into his previous catalog of scattered hits and cult classics. After two new songs, he answered this question to resounding cheers.
Bridges ran it back to his first album on only his third song, performing ‘Better Man’ on a backdrop of red lights to match that album’s aesthetic. Throughout the rest of the night, he’d pull from each and every one of his five records, performing everything from intimate hits like ‘River’ to more unsuspecting, jumpy cuts like ‘Flowers.’
One of the greater highlights of the show was Bridges’ unmatched ability to involve the crowd and manage his tone on stage. For sad songs, folks knew to sit, but Bridges effortlessly jumped from tearjerkers to hip-twisters back to back and on multiple occasions.
He’d turn the microphone on the crowd, talk to them in between songs, and dance to the interludes along with everyone else before him. He wasn’t in the crowd, of course, but had he been, he would’ve fit right in. The Ryman lends itself to that closeness, being a much smaller venue than most large artists tend to tour in. Bridges has always played into a more stripped sound, and it worked wonders here specifically.
That isn’t to say that his band wasn’t top-notch, though; they were also a major highlight of the show. A posse of nearly ten supporters lined the stage behind Leon, taking opportunities to spice the music up with a particular live flare in any way they could.
Bridges gained more ground with the crowd by letting those individuals shine where they could. Background singers got the chance to impress on their own merits, as well as drummers, strummers and just about everyone else in-between. The show just felt whole in this way, and by the end, the place was still buzzing with excitement as a result.
As Bridges left the stage at the night’s close, along with the rest of his band, that excitement spilled over and led to an encore, which would see him play two more songs. The latter of which was ‘Beyond,’ arguably his biggest hit and the one that the crowd had been vying for all night. Somehow, after nearly three hours of music already, the cheers hit a new high at this point. A testament to both the quality of the show and the energy in the building, no doubt.
As the tour rolls on and continues to sport new venues, I’d recommend that any fan of Bridges’ attend a show. It’s essentially a “greatest hits” reel for the whole of his discography, and as a performer, he’s never been better than he is now. The show is fantastic, and a real treat for any and all involved.
The Leon Tour: A review from the Ryman
Having a residency at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is at the top of many music artists’ bucket lists. The historic musical landmark is reserved for only the most esteemed, worthy musicians on the landscape. Not only do you have to be simply successful, but you have to match the “vibe,” if you will. You don’t just play the Ryman; you inhabit it.
Leon Bridges did just that over his three-day residency (Nov. 11-13), and I was able to catch the opening night show. The introductory act, Hermanos Gutierrez, relied completely on steel guitars and short stories to set the scene, and the place was packed out from the very beginning of their set.
But the excitement for the main show was in the air, like a palpable fog permeating the venue. At this point, it was unclear whether or not Bridges would adhere only to his new album (which has been received well by fans and critics alike), or whether he would dip into his previous catalog of scattered hits and cult classics. After two new songs, he answered this question to resounding cheers.
Bridges ran it back to his first album on only his third song, performing ‘Better Man’ on a backdrop of red lights to match that album’s aesthetic. Throughout the rest of the night, he’d pull from each and every one of his five records, performing everything from intimate hits like ‘River’ to more unsuspecting, jumpy cuts like ‘Flowers.’
One of the greater highlights of the show was Bridges’ unmatched ability to involve the crowd and manage his tone on stage. For sad songs, folks knew to sit, but Bridges effortlessly jumped from tearjerkers to hip-twisters back to back and on multiple occasions.
He’d turn the microphone on the crowd, talk to them in between songs, and dance to the interludes along with everyone else before him. He wasn’t in the crowd, of course, but had he been, he would’ve fit right in. The Ryman lends itself to that closeness, being a much smaller venue than most large artists tend to tour in. Bridges has always played into a more stripped sound, and it worked wonders here specifically.
That isn’t to say that his band wasn’t top-notch, though; they were also a major highlight of the show. A posse of nearly ten supporters lined the stage behind Leon, taking opportunities to spice the music up with a particular live flare in any way they could.
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Bridges gained more ground with the crowd by letting those individuals shine where they could. Background singers got the chance to impress on their own merits, as well as drummers, strummers and just about everyone else in-between. The show just felt whole in this way, and by the end, the place was still buzzing with excitement as a result.
As Bridges left the stage at the night’s close, along with the rest of his band, that excitement spilled over and led to an encore, which would see him play two more songs. The latter of which was ‘Beyond,’ arguably his biggest hit and the one that the crowd had been vying for all night. Somehow, after nearly three hours of music already, the cheers hit a new high at this point. A testament to both the quality of the show and the energy in the building, no doubt.
As the tour rolls on and continues to sport new venues, I’d recommend that any fan of Bridges’ attend a show. It’s essentially a “greatest hits” reel for the whole of his discography, and as a performer, he’s never been better than he is now. The show is fantastic, and a real treat for any and all involved.