From performances on The X Factor stage to now, headlining his very own tour, Josh Levi is proving that he is here to stay. Following the release of his debut album “HYDRAULIC,” Levi announced that he would be hitting the road for a ten-stop tour in some of the most prominent cities in the United States. On March 4, 2026, he returned to his hometown, Houston, Texas, to give the city a night to remember.

Levi’s show began with two openers: Breez Kennedy and Luck. Kennedy expressed his excitement with regard to being back in Houston for the first time since touring with Bryson Tiller. His set consisted of songs such as “Need You Tonight” and “Addiction,” as well as an unreleased track called “Come Close,” which samples “Freakn You” by Jodeci. His quintessential R&B presence felt like a perfect introduction for the show to come. Following Kennedy’s performance, Luck entered with a surplus of energy, performing her song “Healing Water,” amongst other staple discography tracks. She maintained a high level of energy throughout her set, which certainly set the tone for the main event.

Levi’s HYDRAULIC album is a fusion of traditional R&B sonics with a modern twist. The same energy that can be felt when listening to the album was the energy he put forth throughout his performance at the House of Blues that night, taking the audience on a journey they’d never forget. He opened the show with a high-energy number called “FEEL THE BASS,” which features BEAM. Fans connected immediately, reciprocating the effort he so evidently displayed through his vocality and choreography.

He then transitioned into the next three songs on the setlist, “RODEO”, “NAMEONIT," and one of the album’s singles, “DON’T GO”, which interpolates Destiny Child’s “No, No, No (Part II).” Fan engagement was high as he carried out intricate choreography. Nevertheless, vocals were not lacking in this show whatsoever— he demonstrated skill and accuracy in each selection.

Levi slowed things down in his arrangement of “HOLD ON” and “EMPTY,” where he merged both tracks, delivering a timeless R&B feel. He maintained that steady pace and displayed his conventional R&B influences in his execution of “CARE 4 ME” and his single “SOMETHING MORE,” which was released back in May of 2024, stating that this particular song was for “real Josh Levi fans.” From powerful belts to silky falsettos, he skillfully picked things up by moving on to track six off of the HYDRAULIC “THE ROOM, and “EGO,” which share common themes of trying to move on despite feeling stuck on a previous fling.

He proceeded to one of the most popular tracks on the album, “SAY IT,” where he strapped in his “passenger princess” as she joined him on stage. “SAY IT” is a sensual song that highlights desire, vulnerability, and the way it feels to be seen and truly loved by someone. I had the honor of being the chosen one, Levi’s passenger princess for the city in which he credits much of his roots. Though this song and the performance thereof is an intimate moment between Josh and the passenger princess, he managed to keep the audience locked in with every body roll, lap dance, and caress he exhibited. He followed up with “CRASH OUT,” which features the British R&B girl group FLO. Fans went bar for bar, word for word with Levi, proving this to be one of the most loved songs on HYDRAULIC.

The last section of the show highlighted songs such as “BURNT OUT,” “I CAN’T GO OUTSIDE,” and “HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE,” which express themes of working through hardship and managing mental health. Each part of the concert was representative of exactly what Josh described: a range of emotions portrayed through song and artistic connection.

He closed the show out with his hit single “BIRTHDAY DANCE,” which went viral on social media following its release in May of 2023. The Houston show of the Hydraulic Tour was a momentous display of art, culture, and musicality. Overall, Josh Levi gave an interactive, riveting performance that left fans both satisfied & wanting more. The Hydraulic tour is a must-see for true lovers of R&B.