Jacob Banks Brings Soul and Thunder to Northcote Theatre in Melbourne, AUS
Written and Captured By | Thomas Golsworthy
At Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre, something remarkable unfolded — not simply a concert, but an unforgettable emotional reckoning led by the thunderous, soul-stirring presence of Jacob Banks. The London-based, Nigerian-born artist returned to the city after a long absence, delivering a performance that transcended music to become something almost spiritual. Known for a voice that feels both ancient and raw — a baritone that seems sculpted from granite, yet capable of expressing the most fragile emotions — Banks demonstrated why he’s in a league of his own. With every note, every pause, and every lyric, he commanded the room with astonishing intensity.
The night began with an impressive opening act from Danish R&B artist Jada Weazel, whose own set established a lush, moody atmosphere that prepared the crowd for what was to come. Her smooth, velvet-like voice floated over atmospheric electronic beats, creating a sensual, dreamy landscape. With effortless confidence, Jada brought a kind of controlled coolness to the stage, weaving songs that shimmered with emotional depth and modern edge. Though her time on stage was brief, it was memorable, and her performance served as a fitting contrast to the storm that Jacob Banks would soon unleash.
As soon as Jacob Banks appeared and launched into the smoldering “Chainsmoking,” the shift in energy was immediate and profound. That voice — gravel-laced, full of ache and gravitas — did more than sing; it preached, it pleaded, it roared. The audience fell silent, gripped by the sheer presence of the man on stage. From that opening moment, it was clear: this was Jacob Banks’ room, and we were all willingly under his spell.
The setlist spanned his musical evolution, oscillating between the gritty, full-bodied power of tracks like “Monster 2.0” and the aching vulnerability of ballads such as “Unknown (To You).” During the latter, the theatre was hushed to near silence — a collective breath held in reverence — until the final note gave way to a roaring standing ovation. In these quiet, stripped-down moments, Banks’ emotional transparency was breathtaking. It wasn’t just a performance; it was a conversation between artist and audience, raw and real.
His band, though technically precise and deeply in sync, never distracted from the core of the show: Banks himself. Their subtle yet dynamic arrangements provided the perfect foundation, allowing his vocals and lyrical storytelling to shine. Songs like “Be Good to Me” and “Slow Up” further revealed Banks’ gift for balancing vulnerability with sheer force. He shifted seamlessly from delicate murmurs to full-throated cries, wielding his voice like both a scalpel and a hammer. The emotional range he navigated was staggering.
A major highlight came with “Found,” which slowly built into an emotional crescendo, offering both artist and audience a moment of cathartic release. By the time the encore rolled around, the crowd was completely his. “Chains” surged with urgent rhythm and intensity, while the final song of the night, “Rise,” was a moment of true transcendence. As the audience sang along, voices intertwined with Banks’, the entire theatre became a choir — a unified wave of joy, sorrow, and resilience.
Jacob Banks doesn’t just perform music; he becomes the vessel for it. His songs are not simply sung — they are lived, breathed, and hurled into the world with force and feeling. At Northcote Theatre, he reminded Melbourne that soul is far more than a genre. It is a force of nature — elemental, uncontainable, and absolutely essential.