Radical Son, David Leha, is from the Kamilaroi nation of Australia and the South Pacific nation of Tonga. He is a strong man with a stronger stage presence and a mesmerising voice that at once seduces the soul and punches the heart. ​​

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One of the mightiest and most compelling artists in the Australian cultural scene, Radical Son channels his experiences from his challenging past into immense power and resolve. A festival favourite, cemented recently by his show-stopping cover of his mentor Uncle Archie Roach’s Walking Into Doors, Radical Son has performed to standing ovations at Bluesfest, St Kilda Festival, VIVID, the AFL Dreamtime 2023 game, and the official Uncle Archie Roach memorial in Melbourne in 2022. 

 

A highly-skilled concert artist, with performance with classical ensembles and high-profile collaborations under his belt with David Bridie, Emma Donovan, Frank Yamma, Lady Lash, Mau Power and Deline Briscoe, Radical Son’s artistry also expands to film and TV, with credits including Defining Moments, a six-part NITV documentary exploring life-defining experiences, and theatre work, including the lead role of Pemulwuy in I am Eora at the 2012 Sydney Festival.

Studying as a musician at The Eora Centre for Visual and Performing Arts in Redfern, as well completing a Bachelor of Music from Newcastle Conservatorium, Radical Son’s creative prowess is only matched by his otherworldly stage presence that equally transfixes and transcends with authenticity and sheer, compelling power. Alongside Dan Sultan, Emma Donovan, William Barton, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, Jess Hitchcock, Sally Dastey, Kee’ahn, Tamala Shelton and the Dhungala Children’s Choir, Radical Son recently galvanised Melbourne’s Myer Music Bowl, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Byron Bluesfest, the Sydney Opera House and Vivid Sydney with his huge, soulful voice and compelling presence, performing his stunning version of Walking Into Doors for a series of Uncle Archie Roach Tribute Concerts - One Song: The Music of Archie Roach, as well as a stirring Melbourne Symphony Orchestra show in July. 

 

Cultivating his transformational life into his place as a bright fixture on Australia’s cultural landscape, Radical Son’s moving soul vocals and unique flair only strengthen with time, potently witnessed today via his two new singles Until You Call My Name and Elder. As the first taste of Bilambiyal (The Learning), the highly anticipated second album by Radical Son, these two works have been met with critical acclaim from The ABC, Triple R and The Point Music News to name a few. And with an appearance on the horizon over the Easter weekend in 2024 at the National Folk Festival, a hub for the Australian folk community, as ever, magic is guaranteed when Radical Son takes the stage.