R&B star Leon Bridges to bring his timeless sound to SA. 

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer Leon Bridges is set to bring his unmistakable R&B sound to South Africa, with two exclusive performances in Johannesburg and  Cape Town this November

Tickets go on sale 9AM Wednesday 23rd September 2026 from Webtickets.

One of the most distinctive voices in modern R&B, Bridges has built an international career around his timeless songwriting, effortless vocals and a sound that draws from the golden era of R&B while remaining firmly rooted in the present.

The Texas-born artist will perform at Marks Park, Emmarentia in Johannesburg on Saturday 28 November followed by Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town on Monday, 30 November, giving South African audiences the opportunity to experience his acclaimed live show, presented by BreakOut Events.

From his breakthrough debut Coming Home to albums including Good Thing, Gold-Diggers Sound and Leon, Bridges has continually evolved while retaining the classic soul sensibility that first captured the world’s attention.

His upcoming fifth studio album, Happiness Anytime, is set for release on 25 September 2026, marking the next chapter in a career that has seen Bridges collaborate with artists across genres while earning widespread critical acclaim.

Leon Bridge Presents: The Happiness Anytime Tour – Johannesburg

Date: Saturday, 28 November 2026
Venue: Marks Park, Emmarentia
Time: 14:00 – 21:00
Address: 46 Orange Road, Emmarentia, Randburg, 2195
GPS: -26.163471, 28.005888 
Support Acts: BCUC, Wandile Mbambeni, and more to be announced
Artist & Promoter Pre-sale Tickets on sale 23 September at 9am. Sign Up at https://nems.eo.page/leon-bridges 
Tickets from Webtickets: From R795(excluding booking fees) on sale 24 September at 9am

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1096761302897042/

Leon Bridge Presents: The Happiness Anytime Tour – Johannesburg

Date:  Monday, 30 November 2026
Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Time: 18:00 – 22:00
Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735
GPS: -33.987562, 18.433016
Support Acts: Msaki
Artist & Promoter Pre-sale Tickets on sale 23 September at 9am. Sign Up at https://nems.eo.page/leon-bridges 
Tickets from Webtickets: From R995 (excluding booking fees) on sale 24 September at 9am

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1772224637422334/

The modern voice of R&B

Leon Bridges emerged onto the international music scene with a sound that immediately felt both familiar and entirely his own.

His debut album, Coming Home, introduced audiences to a young artist whose music drew inspiration from the rich history of soul and R&B, while his distinctive voice and understated style quickly established him as one of the genre’s most exciting new talents.

The album earned Bridges his first Grammy Award and launched a career that would see him become one of the defining soul artists of his generation.

Songs including “River,” “Coming Home,” “Smooth Sailin’” and “Better Man” helped establish his signature sound, while his subsequent releases demonstrated an artist unwilling to simply recreate the past.

From classic sounds to contemporary R&B

With Good Thing, Bridges expanded his musical palette, incorporating funk, R&B and contemporary production while maintaining the soulful vocal performances that had become his trademark.

His 2021 album Gold-Diggers Sound took that evolution even further, blending soul, R&B, jazz and alternative influences into a deeply personal and atmospheric record.

The album produced standout tracks including “Motorbike,” “Sweeter” and “Why Don’t You Touch Me,” while earning Bridges further critical recognition.

His self-titled 2024 album, Leon, continued that journey, drawing on his Texas roots, personal experiences and a broader palette of musical influences.

Now, with Happiness Anytime, Bridges enters another chapter of his career. The 2026 album follows Leon and features 12 tracks, continuing his evolution as a songwriter and performer.

LEON BRIDGES ANNOUNCES HAPPINESS ANYTIME –  NEW ALBUM OUT 25TH SEPTEMBER ON COLUMBIA RECORDS

PRODUCED BY J LLOYD & LYDIA KITTO OF JUNGLE

FOUR NEW SONGS OUT NOW – LISTEN HERE

The record is released on the 25th September via Columbia Records and is produced by J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto of British trio Jungle. Listen to four new songs from the record. “LIGHT THE WAY”, “TEARS OF JOY”, “ILLUSION” AND “YOUR LOVE IS ELECTRIC”

LISTEN | WATCH HERE

Over the course of the last month, Leon has been introducing the new album to fans, with last minute pop-up performances in Paris, Cannes, Los Angeles, the Montreux Jazz Festival and at London’s Jazz Café. 

Happiness Anytime finds Bridges returning to the warmth of Coming Home while embracing the groove and adventurous spirit of his celebrated collaborations with Khruangbin. On Happiness Anytime, Bridges and Jungle’s signature sensibilities intertwine to create something entirely new – an expansive, borderless sound that pushes Bridges into thrilling new territory. There are echoes of Fela Kuti, the wanderlust of Paul Simon’s The Rhythm of the Saints, and the warmth of Jorge Ben, but the album never feels referential. Above all, it is unmistakably Leon Bridges: his singular voice, effortless charisma, and melodic instincts transforming those influences into something wholly his own. It’s an album built for long days and warm nights and will undoubtedly become the unofficial soundtrack of this summer.

Leon releases the first of three 4-song EP’s that will ultimately complete the 12 song album. The first tracks out now are ‘Light The Way,’ ‘Tears of Joy,’ ‘Illusion,’ and ‘Your Love Is Electric.’ 

Fans can pre-order the album HERE

“For me, happiness is not a feeling that you chase,” Bridges says,“I want this album to be something that lingers with people and lingers in people’s bones. There’s this feeling that we have to fix the problems of the world; you feel inadequate or it can be debilitating. My role is to be light. I hope that comes across with this album.” With Happiness Anytime, Bridges set out with a desire not only to find joy but to find movement again. Early in his career he was out in front dancing, something that had waned in his recent career. He wanted to get back to making music to dance to, music to excise the stresses of modern life and to feel grounded in the rhythms of the present. 

The Hits

For South African audiences, Bridges’ live show promises an evening built around a catalogue of modern soul classics.

Fans can expect to hear favourites including:

• “River”
• “Coming Home”
• “Beyond”
• “Smooth Sailin’”
• “Bad Bad News”
• “Motorbike”
• “Texas Sun”
• “Sweeter”
• “If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)”

Alongside these fan favourites, the South African shows will showcase music from Bridges’ latest chapter, including material from Happiness Anytime.

A live experience built around Soul

Leon Bridges’ appeal lies not only in his recordings but in the intimacy and musicianship of his live performances.

His shows combine the elegance of classic soul with the energy of contemporary R&B, creating an experience that feels simultaneously nostalgic and completely current.

Whether performing stripped-back ballads or groove-driven R&B numbers, Bridges has developed a reputation for making large concert stages feel personal.

South Africa, get ready for Leon Bridges

Long-awaited South African performances by Leon Bridges will give local audiences the opportunity to experience one of contemporary soul’s most celebrated performers live.

From the timeless beauty of “River” to the irresistible groove of “Beyond” and the music of his forthcoming Happiness Anytime album, this promises to be a night of soulful vocals, exceptional musicianship and songs that have become part of the modern R&B landscape.

Tickets go on sale 9AM Wednesday 23rd September 2026 from Webtickets. 

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets only through the official ticketing channels.

Follow Leon Bridges

Official Website: Leon Bridges Official Website