South Louisiana native, Odie Leigh, brings her collection of introspective, diary style, indie folk songs to Houston’s The Secret Group with support from folk artist, June Henry.
On a Thursday night in late September, fans of Louisiana’s Odie Leigh make their way to downtown Houston’s The Secret Group for the first night of the “Carrier Pigeon” tour. Concert goers filled the room, heading straight to the front of the stage where they would remain for the rest of the night.
As it was time to start the show, Kansas’s June Henry stepped in front of her microphone and greeted the crowd. Sharing the stage with only her guitar, Henry began a set filled with short, punchy, songs that painted the audience a picture of what her life in Kansas has felt like thus far. Henry broke down the wall between herself and the audience as she made her way through a very personal set comprised of songs like Fish Tank and Flat Earth Romcom, the latter of which she told the audience to imagine her writing from the perspective of a flat earther (she assured us she’s not, just to imagine).
Henry’s lofi, minimal, songs about love and life are pared down to nothing but her own voice, lyricism, and guitar, allowing the audience to feel the full weight of everything she’s trying to say. Henry’s vulnerability was endearing, her personality charming, and her performance refreshing in its authenticity.
Not long after, Odie Leigh took the stage alongside her band. After a quick hello, the band erupted into her signature folk sound that her fans know and love. She immediately set the tone for the night, fun and danceable while letting the audience in on what feels like diary entries of her experiences in life and love. Odie Leigh’s talent is captivating, her live vocal abilities and catchy songwriting held the audience’s attention with ease. She confidently guided the crowd through a set composed of some of her most introspective songs like Either Way and My Name on a T-Shirt off her debut album Carrier Pigeon.
As the show went on Odie Leigh’s voice continued to ring out, clear and bright, while warm instrumentation engulfed the room. At the halfway point her band stepped away, leaving Odie Leigh to share the moments she has effortlessly captured in her songs with her audience, who responded with open arms as they swayed gently and sang every word with her.
Soon after her band rejoined for a few more songs and slowly the night began to come to its end. Odie Leigh’s set was a beautiful showcase of both technical skills and her ability to tap into people’s memories through her own songwriting. Combined with her undeniable charisma, humor, and stage presence, it was obvious the audience was completely under her spell. Finally, Odie Leigh went into her last song and the night came to an end. Even after she left the stage the room felt electric, the crowd buzzing with excitement and emotion as Odie Leigh left a lasting impression on each of us.
I’m a photographer born and raised in Houston. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was a teenager, I love attending local shows and supporting the Houston music scene. If I’m not at a show I’m probably making my own music, hanging out with my cat, or binge watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.
