By Cash Matlock
News Director, Queen City Newsfeed
MERIDIAN, Miss. — On Tuesday night, Dec. 16, 2025, Tony and Grammy Award-winning
performer Leslie Odom Jr. delivered a Christmas concert that felt less like a traditional show
and more like an intimate invitation — one warmly accepted by a sold-out crowd at
the Mississippi State University Riley Center.
The performance marked the 11th and final show of the calendar year at the Riley Center, and
the venue’s fourth sold-out performance of 2025. While the season isn’t officially over — one
final show remains in January — Odom’s appearance felt like a fitting capstone to a banner year
for the downtown Meridian venue.
A cinematic opening
The show opened in near darkness. Odom emerged center stage dressed in a crisp white suit, a
chocolate-brown coat draped effortlessly over his shoulders. Almost instantly, the audience
recognized the melody as his band — affectionately known as The Galaxy Defenders — eased
into “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
From the first notes, Odom exuded soul. His voice didn’t merely sit atop the music; it moved
through it, shaping each phrase with warmth and precision. The early portion of the show
unfolded seamlessly, songs flowing into one another so fluidly they felt like a single extended
meditation on the season.
A standout transition featured a solo cello performance by band member Eric England,
providing a moment of quiet beauty that underscored the musicianship supporting Odom
throughout the night.
Medleys, memories, and humor
The second song, “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, glided effortlessly into “The
Christmas Waltz,” reinforcing the sense that the evening was less a setlist and more a carefully
curated journey.
Between songs, Odom paused to speak with the audience — and quickly proved he’s just as
compelling a storyteller as he is a singer. He asked how many people were attending with
family, then followed it with, “Okay… who’s here because you’re avoiding family?” The room
erupted with laughter.
Odom explained that while his standard tour setup often resembles his own living room, his
Christmas tour flips that dynamic. Because fans play his holiday albums while decorating trees
or gathering with loved ones, he said it feels like he’s stepping into our living rooms instead.
And few living rooms could offer a better acoustic embrace than the Riley Center.
A venue that amplifies greatness
Originally built in 1889 as the Grand Opera House and lovingly restored as part of the MSU Riley
Center’s 2006 reopening, the historic theater remains one of Meridian’s crown jewels. On this
night, its acoustics were not just noticeable — they were transformative.
Odom used his voice like an instrument, blending holiday classics with original material. As he
climbed into higher registers, the temperature in the room seemed to change. There were
moments that sent literal chills through the audience, his voice wrapping the crowd like a warm
blanket — hypnotic, comforting, and undeniably powerful.
A cappella perfection
At the midpoint of the show, Odom and every member of The Galaxy Defenders stepped
forward for an a cappella rendition of “Jesus Gave Me Water.” With no instruments and no
amplification, the performance revealed the full genius of the Riley Center’s design.
The sound filled the room naturally, effortlessly, and beautifully. Audience members rose to
their feet as voices layered and soared. It was one of those rare moments when technology
disappears entirely, leaving nothing but talent, architecture, and shared awe.
Acting meets music
Late in the evening, Odom shifted gears once again — this time showcasing the acting skills that
made him a household name in Hamilton. His full recitation of “’Twas the Night Before
Christmas” wasn’t a reading; it was a performance.
Every word was delivered with intention, rhythm, and character. Emphasis shifted fluidly.
Pacing was perfect. It was a reminder that Odom is not simply a singer who can act, but a fully
rounded performer operating at the peak of his craft.
As the show progressed, it became increasingly clear: this is exactly what Leslie Odom Jr. was
born to do.
A powerful close — before the encore
As the night moved toward its conclusion, Odom mixed in fan favorites — including a soulful
rendition of George Michael’s “Last Christmas” — before slowing the energy for a deeply
personal moment.
The final song before the encore was “Heaven and Earth,” from Odom’s second Christmas
album. Before performing it, he shared that the song reminds him of his children, and that
singing it often makes him feel a little like Joseph from the Bible, witnessing the miracle of
birth.
The performance was tender, reverent, and emotionally grounding — a quiet moment of
reflection that brought the room to stillness and felt like a natural emotional peak for the
evening.
A crowd that wanted more
Odom exited the stage, but Meridian wasn’t ready to let him go.
Thunderous applause filled the Riley Center, demanding an encore. Odom returned for a three-
song finale, beginning with “Merry Christmas Darling,” then pivoting sharply — and thrillingly —
into “Wait For It” from Hamilton.
The reaction was immediate. Fans screamed, sang along, and filled the room with an energy
rarely matched at the venue this year. It was one of the most engaged audiences the Riley
Center has seen all season.
The night concluded with “I Wish You Love,” a graceful farewell that felt less like goodbye and
more like a promise.
A night Meridian won’t forget
Leslie Odom Jr.’s Christmas show was more than a concert. It was an experience — one that
blended music, storytelling, history, and humor inside one of Mississippi’s most treasured
performance spaces.
For the Riley Center, it was a reminder of why the venue stands at the heart of Meridian’s
cultural renaissance. For the audience, it was a night of warmth, joy, and world-class talent.
And for anyone lucky enough to be there, it was proof that sometimes, magic really does
happen — right in our own living room.
