Jacob Collier / Wallis Bird – 3Olympia Dublin, 30.10.2024

Jacob Collier / Wallis Bird – Djesse World Tour, 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 30.10.2024

‘Musical Maestro’ is a title thrown around quite often these days, but never before has someone warranted such a title as Jacob Collier.

Last night, October 30, the London musician and six-time Grammy award winner took to a packed out seated 3Olympia Theatre for the first date of his Djesse European tour.

What made this show unique from the other dates? This one was a solo show, the only solo show on a tour that normally sees a band, props, and “other unnecessary things”, as Jacob put it.

The night kicked off at 8 with Wexford’s Wallis Bird, arguably one of the most well-suited support acts for a Jacob Collier show.

From broken guitar strings, to acapella songs, to songs about loss and death (very appropriate for a Halloween Eve show, as one audience member pointed out), Wallis’ set had it all, which in turn gave her a well-deserved standing ovation.

Wallis Bird photos

Then shortly after 9pm, out came an enthusiastic Jacob Collier in a particularly unique outfit, one you’d look at and say, “ah sure that’s something only Jacob could pull off”.

He immediately set the tone of the gig with his conducting of an audience choir – which helps when the crowd is largely made up of theatre kids past and present.

The night saw an extremely energetic Jacob switching up his instruments – whether it’s using pianos, guitars, or voices of the audience.

One particular highlight for many in attendance was the surprise appearance of Jacob’s former collaborator Lizzy McAlpine, who was in Dublin ahead of a sold out 3Arena performance.

Jacob is a music fan’s musician. There’s something about his performances that every fan of live music, or just fans of music in general, needs to see at least once in their lives. On a personal level, having seen Jacob once before in 2022, this was a gig I knew I needed to attend.

Some may have missed the band; others may have appreciated the intimacy of a solo show – however, whichever way inclined you were as a fan in attendance, there’s something that can’t be denied – the magic that was on stage.

Wallis Bird photos:

Jacob Collier photos:

Words & photos – Liam Murphy @liammurphypics