Touring in support of his first album, "Coming Home," Leon Bridges performance at the sold-out Riverside Theater on March 12 was a flashback to a foregone era. Sharply dressed in a vintage dark suit with skinny tie, Bridges smooth-as-silk vocals and deft swagger brought the capacity-crowd to their feet for the duration of the show. The upstart from Texas has quickly found himself leading a resurgence of 1960s soul, backed by a six-piece band including blues-infused guitar and bits of jazzy sax.
Opening with his current single, "Smooth Sailin'," ensured a quick spark of energy to start the show. What followed was an ebb-and-flow as Bridges worked his way through his album. Slower songs such as "Outta Line" and "Pull Away" didn't seem to quell the mood, as the crowd was quickly reinvigorated with yet another peak during the show. "Twistin' and Groovin'" drew a standing ovation from those seated in the balcony, while "Mississippi Kisses" and "River" ended the set proper with as much fanfare as it began.
The headline set allowed Bridges to introduce the crowd to new "retro" music. "Pussy Footin'" pulsed with classic guitar riffs, thanks to the presence of former White Denim guitarist Austin Jenkins. Jenkins also offered a country twang to the unreleased "Hold On" at mid-set. The crowd seemed grateful to receive more than the expected debut album in its entirety. He also tossed in a cover of Neil Young's "Helpless" for good measure."
