“Paris, you’re a beautiful crowd. Make some noise for yourself”
Before anything, it’s almost impossible to talk about Leon Thomas without thinking about where many people first saw him: Victorious. As André, he was already that quiet musical genius in the background, playing, producing, understanding sound in a way that felt different. For a whole generation, that was the start of real fangirling, because the show made music feel fun, emotional, and honest at the same time.
Seeing him live in Paris now feels like connecting to the fangirl feeling we all had years ago.
This was the first of two shows he played in the city, at Elysée Montmartre, and from the start, everything feels intentional but effortless. The stage design is simple and effective: tall columns covered in mirror tiles, almost like disco balls, with a silver curtain in the back. Nothing too heavy, it’s all clearly there to highlight the music, not distract from it.
He’s joined by a drummer and a bassist, with keys layered in, and when he walks on stage, he does it like a rockstar. No guitar at first, just pure presence. Then, during the second song, he picks it up, and the energy shifts instantly.
“What’s up Paris? I just won two Grammys and it’s thanks to y’all.”
It’s a simple line, but it lands. There’s a mix of gratitude and quiet confidence that sets the tone for the night.
“Welcome to the Mutt Don’t Heel tour.”
From that moment, the crowd is completely locked in. At one point, he even gets everyone barking, chaotic on paper but somehow perfect in the moment. The bassist throws flowers into the crowd, adding to the playful, loose atmosphere. Also, there’s also a drum solo that feels like a direct nod to his André days, a small but meaningful callback for longtime fans. When he introduces “I Do,” he asks if there are any “day one” fans in the room and if they’re ready to stay forever. It’s simple, but it connects instantly.
One of the strongest parts of the show is how naturally he moves between styles. One moment leans into rock, the next softens into something closer to R&B, and it feels so cool. It just flows. That versatility, something he’s always had, is fully on display here.
Then he slows things down: “Do you mind if we’re slowing down for the ladies real quick?” and also “Paris, you’re a beautiful crowd. Make some noise for yourself.”
Later, Baby Rose joins him on stage, adding another emotional layer to the night and at one point, he tells the crowd: “If you love yourself, put your light on… and I want to let you know that I love you. It’s gonna be okay” It’s definitely one of those moments that feels bigger than just a concert.
Overall, the show feels carefully built around the music first. The band is simple but perfectly balanced. Even when he’s not singing, switching to guitar or sitting at the drums, he’s still fully performing. Nothing feels empty.
What was special about this concert was the quiet “I made it” feeling coming from him throughout the whole concert, not in an arrogant way, but more like a personal realization. And you can feel that the fans share it too, with a sense of pride. It’s like everyone in the room is celebrating that moment together, knowing how far he’s come. Even the opening set helps build that feeling. A DJ plays classic Y2K R&B and hip-hop, even teasing a bit of Victorious, subtly connecting the past and the present before he even steps on stage.
Written by Nelcia Said Aly