Leon Bridges: 10/4

With style and ease, Leon Bridges’ performance at Mission Ballroom on Oct. 5 was nothing short of spectacular. Showcasing his latest album, “Gold-Diggers Sound” which was released in July, while also playing a handful of favorites off of past records, Bridges covered all of his bases. 

After a mesmerizing opening act by Abraham Alexander, the lights dimmed and the room filled with anticipation. The gold backdrop illuminated and Bridges entered the stage with charisma and charm that took the audience by storm, evident in their hollers and applause. 

Opening with “Shy” and “You Don’t Know” was a warm welcome to the audience. The tunes were familiar and packed with groove to get the show started. With energies high and the attention of the crowd captivated, Bridges led into performances of the songs off of his newest album.

“Gold-Diggers Sound” is an album packed with lyrical depth and an emotive R&B style that is as timeless as the rest of Bridges’ discography. Playing songs including “Why Don’t You Touch Me,” “Motorbike” and “Born Again,” Bridges perfectly emulated the heart and soul of the album on stage. The crowd swayed to the anthems, evidence that the performance of the album made a clear impression. 

Bridges’ vocals were smooth and vibrant, matching his stage presence that was filled with rhythmic dances and confident strides. The performance was further elevated by the presence of Bridges’ backup singers. Brittin Jessi was show-stopping with her seamless dances and angelic vocals that harmonized perfectly with Bridges’. 

Even more depth and excitement was brought to the performance through the vast instrumentation that packed the stage. A full drum kit, keyboard, acoustic and electric guitars, saxophone and even a cello during “Blue Mesa” were just a few of the instruments to be named. The syncopation of harmonized vocals and an array of instruments brought the show to a level of performance that was unlike any other. 

Arlo Parks: 10/5

Another captivating show from this week, Arlo Parks delivered a beautiful performance and created an intimate atmosphere during her show at Globe Hall on Oct. 5. 

Traveling all the way from London—if you are unfamiliar with her work—Arlo Parks is an indie-pop artist known for her poetic lyricism. For this tour, Parks is promoting the release of her latest album “Collapsed in Sunbeams” which was released earlier this year. 

Encircled with fog turned indigo from the stage lights and sunflowers tucked around pedalboards, Parks made the stage her own and brought it to life with the vulnerability that bleeds from her songs. Her artful lyricism was delivered with equally beautiful vocals that flowed with ease into the audience.

Parks kept the crowd alive until the very last song, delivering a range of songs from “Hurt” off of her latest album, to her first release “Cola” and a handful of fan favorites in between. With a diverse audience of different ages, genders and races, it was powerful to see Parks offer something for everyone to connect to. 

Listen to Leon Bridges and Arlo Parks, and check out other upcoming concerts on the Clarion’s concert calendar.