Leon Bridges and Erin Rae light up Barefoots Joe stage

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Columbia Records recording artist Leon Bridges and Jackson native Erin Rae performed at Union’s Barefoots Joe on Friday, March 13.

Bridges, from Ft. Worth, Texas, is touring on his first headlining tour in support of his highly anticipated full length album debut. Bridges sound is reminiscent of soul and R&B legends like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke.

“This is one of my favorite stops on the tour so far,” said Bridges. “The room sounded great, and the crowd was so attentive and fun to play for.”

Bridges was joined by a full ensemble, including two guitar players, a bass player, two background singers and a saxophone player. Bridges has had a breakout year, signing with Columbia Records only recently, and visiting Europe on his current tour, as well as South by Southwest Music Festival next week in Bridges home state of Texas.

Erin Rae opened up the night at Barefoots. Rae, who grew up in downtown Jackson, has a sound that draws on country music greats like Patty Griffin or Joni Mitchell.

“I love getting the chance to play in my hometown,” said Rae. “I’ve never gotten to play at Barefoots Joe before, but I’ve heard great things from my friends who had. Playing in Jackson is great because there’s so many of my songs that are about growing up here, so it’s really fun to sing them in the town they were written about.”

Rae, who typically performs with a band called The Meanwhiles, performed a solo set, something she says she does not do often, but really enjoys.

“I love playing with a band,” said Rae. “But there is something so freeing about performing by yourself. You can just play the songs and really get into the actual song instead of worrying about if the band is playing together.”

Bridges first full length album is expected to release this summer, and you can find him at leonbridges.com

Erin Rae’s music can be found online at themeanwhiles.bandcamp.com