On Nov. 15, Leon Thomas brought his “MUTT” album tour to Boston, featuring special guest Toney Handsome. Many people may know Leon Thomas from his role as the hilarious and talented Andre Harris on the hit Nickelodeon show “Victorious.” During the show’s run from 2010 to 2013, Thomas was a fan favorite, and continued to write and produce music after the show ended, most notably for artists like Ariana Grande and Giveon.. More recently, Thomas revealed that he co-produced the hit song “Snooze” with SZA in 2022. The art Thomas creates is distinctive, and is a display of sheer talent which remains admired to this day.
Such talent was certainly visible at Thomas’s sold-out concert at Brighton Music Hall in Boston. The small space was packed with people squeezing close together, trying to get the best view of Thomas when he came out. Although the chosen venue was smaller than other concert halls in Boston, it was a smart choice to host the show in such an intimate space: the experience felt more personal, and the chance to share the music with other concertgoers in such a setting was one that can’t be duplicated.
DJ Toney Handsome opened the show with a unique blend of music that left no dull moment for the crowd –– particularly when he chose to start the night with various theme songs from childhood TV shows, including the aforementioned “Victorious.” Even if you weren’t a fan or didn’t know DJ Toney Handsome before attending the “MUTT” tour, it was easy to leave with a new favorite DJ. Toney Handsome has a one-of-a-kind ability to create music that doesn’t seem to go together, but makes perfect sense when blended.
When Thomas came on stage, he hyped up the crowd with the first song on the “MUTT” album, “How Fast.” Thomas immediately followed “How Fast” not with the rest of the album, but with songs across his discography. He also showcased his range of talents –– including guitar-playing and percussion –– allowing the audience to see a range of his talents. That Thomas is a successful writer and producer in addition to his performance talents is no surprise; his vast knowledge of music and instrumentation shines through in everything he does.
Thomas’s multifaceted qualities as an artist were on full display during his performance of “Blue Hundreds,” which was a shift away from Thomas’s usual R&B into Psychedelic Soul. A combination of soul and rock that was popular in the 60s and 70s, Psychedelic Soul isn’t typically represented in the music industry today. Thomas’s choice to display it was bold and educational, and paid homage to the genre that has roots in African American communities.
As the concert ended and Thomas left the stage, the crowd yelled for an encore. A minute later, Thomas re-entered the stage with a “We got something else for y’all” and performed one final song. It was clear that Thomas cares for his fans, and he curated a brilliant experience for everyone in attendance.
Unfortunately, all of Thomas’s concert dates are currently sold out. However, “MUTT” probably won’t be his last tour. If you get the chance to see Leon Thomas in the future, I would suggest taking it –– the night truly felt like a special experience.
Contact the editors responsible for this story: Ivy Buck, Norah Catlin
