Last weekend at the historic Wiltern theater in Los Angeles, the charming Chicago-based band Brigitte Calls Me Baby made their return to Los Angeles, performing at their biggest L.A. venue to date. The band had previously made their L.A. rounds at small club venues like Genghis Cohen and the Moroccan Lounge, as well as the El Rey opening for The Last Dinner Party, but this time, the beloved group took the stage at the Wiltern opening for Airborne Toxic Event. Let’s just say, as the opening set, Brigitte Calls Me Baby filled the venue quite nicely, taking many fans with them as they left the stage.
Touring in support of their debut album, The Future Is Our Way Out, released via ATO Records — Brigitte Calls Me Baby had the crowd swooning in complete awe and swaying to the band’s delicious sound. Led by frontman Wes Leavins, it’s impossible not to fall under his spell. Tall, striking, and handsome, what stands out most about Wes isn’t the fact that he is incredibly easy on the eyes, nor his wild Flock of Seagulls-esque hairdo, but it’s his immaculate vocals that pull you in like a tidal current on a full moon.
Wes’ voice is truly a gift from the stars. With my husband by my side, I probably melted 10 times over as he beautifully belted out operatic-like chords to songs like “Too Easy” and “Eddie My Love.” Their new album has become a familiar sound in our home, where you’ll even hear our 7-year-old sing her best version of Wes. The range this young man has with his voice is otherworldly. His diaphragm is clearly his best friend because the notes he hits and delivers so effortlessly are next-level. At times, he reminds of Morrissey, but with a Pavarotti-like vibrato.
While Wes’ vocal talent and endless charm is a sure crowd-pleaser, his bandmates are the yin to his yang. Brigitte Calls Me Baby, as a whole, have sweet energy to them. I swear these boys must have all decided when forming the band that they all must have a signature ‘do. They have effectively given the term “hair band’ a new meaning, and I am so here for it. Devin Wessels’ bass was as smooth as hot butter melting on a dinner roll. Drummer Jeremy Benshish made sure our bodies were shaking to the delightful fury of his relentless pummeling. And guitarists Trevor Lynch and Jack Fluegel were slick on the strings; whether serenading or making their guitars wail, they delivered with style and grace.
The group had us moving to the jangly guitar-pop sounds of “Impressively Average” while we all wished we could hold a fraction of a note that Wes could.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby even threw down a moving cover of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper.” Despite the absence of a sexy sax man, the song translated nicely with guitar, along with the resemblance Wes holds to George Michael.
What’s most impressive about Brigitte Calls Me Baby is just how talented and cohesive they are live. Sure, their new album, The Future Is Our Way Out, and EP (This House is Made of Corners) is what initially attracted me to the band; however, there is absolutely nothing impressively average about Brigitte Calls Me Baby. Any band or singer can sound like they’re oozing with talent when it comes to audio magic. The true test is seeing a band live and in the flesh without backtracks and all those annoying vocal modifications. It’s what separates a uniquely talented artist from a homogenized performer. And Brigitte Calls Me Baby, man, do you guys have it going on, especially that voice of Wes Leavins.
After their set, we all rallied to the merch booth. Fans crowded around Wes with pure adoration in their eyes. Between the clumps of fans and the long line forming for photo ops, autographs, and merch — I haven’t seen a demand like this for an opening act in quite some time. The entire band was sweet and appreciative of all the kind words falling upon them. Fans shared how they discovered Brigitte Calls Me Baby through local public radio stations, the Jimmy Kimmel show, and even independent blogs like Grimy Goods. One woman told me she was having dinner at Genghis Cohen last year and was fortunate enough to catch Brigitte Calls Me Baby by surprise. Hearing and seeing the camaraderie among fans was heart-warming. To be connected by the joy a band brings is a beautiful thing.
What’s wild is that this is just the beginning for Brigitte Calls Me Baby. Their debut album is one of the best to come out of 2024, and not one song is a skipover. Each offering is masterfully crafted, from meaningful lyrics to soaring arrangements and, of course, Wes’ intoxicating vocal prowess. Witnessing him sing is like seeing a shooting star for the first time.
Like the many bands we’ve forecasted the past 16 years who are now selling out arenas, Brigitte Calls Me Baby is on the path to stardom. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
Words: Sandra Burciaga Olinger
Photography: Bryan Olinger
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