Photos by Jordyn Feenberg
As the rain cleared over Los Angeles, the El Rey Theatre welcomed a much brighter kind of arrival. Canadian singer-songwriter Leith Ross performed to a sold-out crowd that night, marking the 18th stop on their U.S. tour, I Can See the Future.
The lights dimmed, the curtain emblazoned with the El Rey logo opened, and Leith Ross stepped onto the stage. While the crowd eagerly anticipated the opening song, Ross began the show by highlighting a regional organization throughout the tour. Tonight, they welcomed a local grassroots nonprofit, Water Drop LA, which shared that for the past 278 Sundays, they have delivered 3,000 gallons of water each visit to Skid Row. They provide most residents there with their primary water source. As they exited the stage, a tone was set for a night rooted in community.
Accompanied by their band, Ross returned to the stage and kicked off with songs from their newest album, including “Point of View” and “Treasure,” before picking up their guitar for “Stay.” As they set the guitar aside, they labeled it a comfort instrument. This act felt especially fitting for their emotional performance of “Terrified.”
Ross’s stage presence was both deeply felt and effortlessly light. They led with banter while introducing the next song, “Home,” joking about how it was hardly surprising for a sad song to appear at a Leith Ross concert. With the final note, they reached into the crowd and accepted a flag from a fan reading “You are home,” adorned with trans pride colors.
The performance followed with “What My Love Is For,” a jazzy love song expressed directly to the crowd. Next came “I Love Watching You Eat Dinner,” a unique, creative piece inspired by the joy Ross finds in cooking for their friends. They reflected on the beauty of food, its essential role in living, and how society has lost sight of its significance.
They dismissed their band for a brief solo performance, allowing the audience to select the song through a member of the crowd’s very own DIY game. Although Ross admitted feeling unsure about performing the chosen songs “Everyone I’ve Never Met” or “Coming Back to Me,” we all agreed on “Tommy.” This delicate ballad, which was written to honor their grandfather, filled the venue with warmth and character, gently foreshadowing the show’s conclusion.
The band then returned to the stage, launching into the fan favorite “I’d Have to Think About It,” a song about Ross believing they would never move past their high school love. Before playing “I Will,” they shared the inspiration for the composition: the aftermath of a friendship breakup taught them profound lessons about humanity. This tangent became a reflection on the universality of imperfection and the importance of building community through compassion.
A love song followed (“What Are You Thinking About?”), which Ross shared was inspired by one of their fondest childhood memories: watching their parents slow dance in the kitchen. Throughout the night, their songwriting proved deeply thoughtful and intentional. In “Grieving,” for instance, they conveyed the distinct clarity that often emerges in the grieving process.
Their friend and collaborator Rostam Batmanglij joined them on stage for the performance of the title track, “I Can See the Future.” A major contributor to the album’s intricate songwriting, Batmanglij’s presence elevated the moment as the song had both Ross and the crowd dancing from start to finish.
Before performing “(You) on My Arm,” they explained that, although it would be the final song, they would nod to the tradition of an encore without fully committing to it. They then launched into their hit “We’ll Never Have Sex.” Despite the implication of finality, the show wasn’t over as the earlier foreshadowing came to life.
In further tribute to their grandfather, who used to perform at open mic nights and close with the traditional folk song “Wild Mountain Thyme,” they invited a local pub band to join them on stage and taught the audience the chorus. The entire crowd closed the night singing in harmony, culminating in a powerful moment of unity and community. Watching people come together through the ethereal voice of Leith Ross made my experience at the show feel truly magical.
Listen to Leith Ross’s newest album below!
