Leon Thomas is one of the biggest rising stars in the R&B world at the moment, having scored worldwide smash hits that have absolutely launched him onto the world stage, with his silky smooth vocals and excellent guitar skills. After rescheduling his April tour dates to June to accommodate his support slot with Bruno Mars on his world tour, Thomas has finally arrived in Australia, playing two sold out nights at the Enmore Theatre to a legion of adoring fans. The energy in the crowd was palpable as Thomas took to the stage and immediately he showed the kind of soul and groove that audiences were coming for, with comparisons in both tone and skill to Prince and Jimi Hendrix feeling inevitable given the prominence of guitar in his style. 

“Y’all feeling good and ready to party,” he asked the crowd. 

Thomas moved through his discography quickly, starting with “HEEL” and moving into “HOW FAST”. As he worked through his tracks, he showed off the variety of his work as there were ballads, fast-paced songs and plenty of opportunities for Thomas to demonstrate exactly why he has developed such a reputation as a musician. With brief interludes behind the drums in addition to his great guitar and vocal work, Thomas displayed a versatility that really places him in the upper echelon of his contemporaries. Thomas’ guitar work was particularly impressive, especially during the opening stages of the set, with Thomas feeding symbiotically off his band and showing a synergy that matched the passion and energy he brought to the performance. His vocals were equally strong with a silky smooth upper register and excellent vocal control, leading to a cohesive and engaging set.

There was also a great deal of flair and showmanship throughout the evening, with Thomas often playing directly to the crowd and even dropping to his knees at points to play to the audience. He made the venue feel quite intimate and seemed to be enjoying himself as he performed. Thomas did not spend much time talking between songs while performing a 23 song setlist but it did not matter as it meant that even more music could be packed into the evening and reflected the feeling that Thomas was showing off his craft (which really was at the top of the game). 

By the end of the night and after a series of barks from the crowd, Thomas performed his big hit “MUTT”, which had the entire theatre singing along and screaming as they brought their camera phones to the fore. There are times when you can simply feel how engaged an audience is from its reaction and this was one of those occasions as Thomas had the crowd completely in the palm of his hand, with his sound working exceptionally well in the Enmore Theatre and generating a tremendous energy throughout the venue.

Overall, this was a stunning show that showcased Thomas at his very best, with a cleverly curated and superbly executed show. While the Hendrix comparisons may be obvious, they are also apt and reflect the fact that Thomas occupies a unique space within the modern R&B landscape, combining exceptional vocals and wonderful instrumental skills in a way that few artists currently can. This was a fabulous show featuring musicianship of the highest quality and I hope that Thomas returns soon because this was one of the best shows I have seen on these shores in a long time.

Rating: ★★★★★

Leon Thomas – 17 June 2026 – Enmore Theatre