Leon Bridges will now play two nights at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, with 54 Ultra and Surprise Chef joining the Australian dates as his new album Happiness Anytime reaches its final chapter.
by Paul Cashmere
Leon Bridges has added a second Melbourne concert to his Australian tour after strong demand during Wednesday’s presale, with the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter now scheduled to perform at the Royal Botanic Gardens on both Saturday 6 March and Sunday 7 March 2027.
The newly added Sunday show is being billed as the final Melbourne performance of Bridges’ The Happiness Anytime Tour, presented as part of the Live at the Gardens series. Tickets go on sale at 9.00am local time today, Thursday 24 September.
The Melbourne dates will feature two Australian acts alongside Bridges. New Jersey singer, songwriter and producer JohnAnthony Rodriguez, performing as 54 Ultra, will support Bridges on the Sydney, Brisbane, Fremantle and Melbourne dates, while Melbourne instrumental quartet Surprise Chef will also appear at Live at the Gardens.
The timing of the announcement connects directly with Bridges’ fifth studio album, Happiness Anytime, with the final instalment due on 25 September through Columbia Records. Parts 1 and 2 have already established the musical direction of the project, drawing on the warmth associated with his 2015 debut Coming Home while incorporating elements developed through his collaborations with Khruangbin.
The 12-song album was produced by J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto of British group Jungle. Bridges has described the project in terms of movement, joy and a form of happiness that remains with the listener rather than something that needs to be pursued.
“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.”
One of the album’s recent songs, Talk It Over, reflects that emphasis on movement. The accompanying video was filmed in Amsterdam and centres on dancing and physical movement, while the song itself addresses the process of working through a relationship.
Bridges’ Australian return also marks another stage in a touring relationship with the country that has developed over six Australian visits. His previous tours have taken him from theatre performances through to sold-out Sydney Opera House Concert Hall shows, arena appearances, outdoor venues and winery performances.
“I’m always excited to get back to Australia,” Bridges says. “I’ve had some really special moments there over the years, and I’m looking forward to returning and sharing this party with everyone.”
The addition of the second Melbourne date gives audiences another opportunity to see Bridges perform material from Happiness Anytime alongside the songs that established his international career. The album follows a catalogue that has consistently drawn on soul, R&B, gospel and vintage American influences while allowing Bridges’ distinctive voice to remain central.
The support lineup also brings together two distinctly different contemporary acts. 54 Ultra has developed a sound combining synth-driven indie rock with Latin soul influences. His recent song Tell Me is performed in both English and Spanish and combines Latin elements with indie-soul production.
Surprise Chef, meanwhile, bring an instrumental approach shaped by soul, funk and cinematic music. Their fifth studio album, Frogs In A Pond, is scheduled for release on 23 October through Concord Jazz and draws inspiration from Italian film scores of the 1960s and 1970s.
For Bridges, the Melbourne shows will form part of a wider Australian run that begins at the Sydney Opera House on 26 February 2027. He will also perform at QPAC’s Cultural Forecourt in Brisbane, Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre and WOMADelaide before the two Melbourne appearances.
With Happiness Anytime completing its release on Friday, the Australian concerts will give Bridges an opportunity to present the album in full touring context, with the newly added Melbourne performance extending the run to two nights at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Dates:
Saturday 6 March 2027, Melbourne, Live at the Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, VIC
Sunday 7 March 2027, Melbourne, Live at the Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, VIC
Further Live at the Gardens information is available at:
liveatthegardens.com.au/leonbridges
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