FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth native Leon Bridges invited a sell-out crowd in his hometown arena on a musical journey through his childhood in the Southside to the dive bars that shaped his musical career.
Before the concert even began, the city of Fort Worth honored Bridges by renaming the road outside of Dickies Arena after him and Bridges responded in kind by posting a heartfelt message to the city on Instagram. As the concert ended, Bridges got yet another surprise, courtesy of Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker who appeared onstage and declared Nov. 15, the day of the concert, Leon Bridges Day in Fort Worth.
Bridges' tour is in support of his fourth studio album, Leon, which is heavily inspired by his childhood in Fort Worth. He sold out the 14,000-capacity Dickies Arena and received support from Dallas native Charley Crockett.
"Selling out every seat at Dickies Arena, my hometown arena – that’s something that feels bigger than anything I could’ve imagined," Bridges wrote on Instagram. "It’s not just about me; it’s about all of us, every corner of this city that raised me and shaped me. It’s the Southside and Sundance Square, the little pockets of the city where music seeps through the walls and dreams grow wild."
Parker joined Bridges on the stage during the encore to present the proclamation designating Nov. 15 as Leon Bridges Day.
"There is no better ambassador to share the story of the city of Fort Worth from the south side of our city, you feel it in his music, you know how he feels about his city so, ladies and gentlemen, from now on November 15 will be Leon Bridges Day in the city of Fort Worth."
Parker also highlighted his work with former TCU head coach Gary Patterson on their nonprofit, The Big Good, which raises money for local nonprofits.
"It's so dope to end the tour in Fort Worth," Bridges said after thanking his friends and family for helping him along the way.