By November 15, 2025
The multi-talented R&B singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leon Thomas returned to Charlotte on Friday night for his Mutts Don’t Heel Tour, arriving on the heels of a whirlwind year that earned him six Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, Best R&B Album, and Best New Artist.
New Orleans native and Roc Nation artist Ambré opened the evening with her serene vocal tone and atmospheric R&B, beginning her set with “You Don’t Know” and showcasing her gifts both behind the mic and on guitar. The Fillmore settled into a calm, hypnotic sway as her voice drifted through the room, later surprising fans with a cover of Rihanna’s “Same Ol’ Mistakes” that drew cheers from the audience.
Anticipation rose as the 2,000-capacity venue filled to the brim and the lights dimmed at 8:59 p.m. In the back of the stage hung a striking sculptural rendering of Thomas’ head, mirroring the visual style of his latest EP, PHOLKS. The first notes of “HEEL” hit, and the crowd came alive.
Across a 22-song setlist, Thomas showcased his genre-bending fusion of neo-soul, R&B, and rock, weaving through music from his three projects Electric Dusk, Mutt, and PHOLKS. A former child actor best known for his role as Andre Harris on Nickelodeon’s Victorious — and the son of a jazz musician and opera singer — Thomas demonstrated the full breadth of his musicianship: switching between drums, bass, and guitar, often trading solos with his lead guitarist in displays of pure instrumental prowess.
Early highlights included “HOW FAST,” “DANCING WITH DEMONS,” “FAR FETCHED,” and a seamless progression into “LUCID DREAMS” and “VIBES DON’T LIE,” where Thomas took center stage guitar in hand. A percussive burst followed before “PARTY FAVORS” and “I DO,” leading into a brief exit and return for a buoyant performance of “My Muse” from PHOLKS.
He slid into the funky “Just How You Are,” followed by “Blue Hundreds,” which brought a gritty rock edge and showcased Thomas’ dynamic command of tempo and his eclectic musicality. Fans were treated to an unreleased track titled “Aquarius” before he leaned into the vintage rock textures of “Baccarat.” A crowd favorite, “Sneak,” had the room erupting as fans screamed “daytime, daytime!” back at him, a call-and-response that echoed across the venue.
Thomas flexed his vocal warmth on “Slow Down” before shifting into the sensual sway of “Love Jones,” “slowing it down for the ladies,” as he put it. Returning to MUTT, he unleashed “YES IT IS,” followed by a stunning sequence that blended “Crash and Burn” with “Treasure in the Hills” and a nod to Floetry’s “Say Yes” — one of the most impressive vocal moments of the night.
The room swelled the moment the opening chords of “Breaking Point” rang out. Voices cracked, bodies swayed, and the heartbreak in Thomas’ delivery moved through The Fillmore like static.
Energy shifted again with “NOT FAIR,” before Thomas paused to thank his supporters, emphasizing that this is a team effort and acknowledging the loyalty that has carried him to this breakthrough moment in his career.
To close, he introduced the song that changed his life — “MUTT,” now a 2025 Grammy nominee for Best R&B Performance and the title track of his album, which also earned nods for Album of the Year and Best R&B Album. The first note sparked an ovation from the crowd, who sang along through much of the song, a fitting end to a night that confirmed Thomas is not just emerging — he has fully arrived as one of the most diversely talented artists we’ve seen in decades.
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