Leon Bridges settles in at Latitude 2015

Leon Bridges’ has ascended at breakneck speed. This time last year, nobody knew of this Texas newcomer and his timeless stamp on dusky soul with a modern edge. Still, if there was ever one grand master plan following his every step, it would have surely included a trip to Latitude. He belongs here; the mid-afternoon air; the families sitting back on fallen branches, watching from a distance; the easygoing feel of the iArena’s giant forestry.

Debut album ‘Coming Home’ belongs in America’s smoky clubs, open roads and ‘50s dance halls, but it finds a new home in Henham Park during Bridges’ Saturday set. Smooth as it gets, the sharp-suited Fort Worth resident couldn’t make touring life look any less stressful. Forget sleeping rough or hopping from city to city without any idea of what day it is - Bridges makes everything look easy, from the foot-tapping delivery of ‘Smooth Sailin’’ to his James Bay-rivalling hat. Come to think of it, Bay’s got nothing on this.

Bridges also has stacks of character, up on stage. Hip-shifting and jiving to his full band’s every step, he’s in fine form. ‘Lisa Sawyer’ is dedicated to his mother, “who I love very much”, and Latitude reaches its chilled-out, family friendly peak. Like his first album, there’s nothing drastically game-changing about Bridges’ live game, but he’s an undoubted pro at what he does best.

Photo: Emma Swann.