THE PHILOSOPHY OF JACOB LEE — HOW ONE NIGHT IN LONDON SET GHOSTS AND DEMONS FREE (2019)
Have you ever come across an artist who made you realize that experiencing life on a much deeper level is the only way to feel fully alive? That’s exactly what the audience felt at Jacob Lee’s concert in London last Thursday. The performance was part of Jacob’s first ever headline tour and we had a perfect opportunity to experience the magic first hand. Let me tell you all, the fuss is there for a reason.
The intimate show took place in a small bar in London called Thousand Island. The place is not the easiest to find but a long line of people in front of the entrance pointed us in the right direction. The cozy inside of the venue has a small stage and enough space for about 50–100 people in the audience. While it gives us, fans, an opportunity (and chills) to see our favorite artists up close, on stage nothing can be concealed from our eyes or ears. What I’m trying to say is, consider this review 100% truthful and accurate.
The evening started off with Chris Sims stepping up to provide entertainment while we waited for the headliner. What a cool guy, that Chris! He performed in Jacob Lee’s official merchandize T-shirt telling us how we were in for a treat because Jacob was such an amazing artist. Chris sung several songs from his EP Alibi (listen HERE) and then everything went quiet in anticipation of Mr. Lee’s appearance.
When we heard the first sounds of “Demons”, we knew there were only seconds between us and something exciting. Jacob Lee stepped on stage with his guitar and tumbling curls and begun radiating music that clearly flows in his veins. Within the first minute we were able to confirm how madly talented that guy was. His incredible guitar and singing skills combined with so much emotion put into his art carried us into another reality. The atmosphere was filled with poetry, amazing lyrics that had been born in the mind so uniquely different than most. In his song “Black Sheep” Jacob sung, I could do things others couldn’t seem to believe ’til they met me, that’s when I’d retreat to my dreams where I see things others couldn’t see through a beat pen and poetry. Believe me or not, we could see those things he sung about, such was the strength of his artistic persuasion.
During the one-hour show Jacob presented an array of songs from his newly released LP Philosophy as well as from previous EPs. We also had a laugh when a song called “Ghost”, which was not in the setlist, got spontaneously included because Jacob “felt like it”. Moreover, he interwove short explanations why and how particular songs came to be, rightly assuming there were writers and creators in the audience who really appreciated that little bit of insight in the creative processes. For example, there were pieces, he explained, that just wouldn’t come out before the time was right, which sometimes took several months, and oh, how well we, writers, know the feeling.
When Jacob sung his last song and said goodbye to the audience, we successfully called him out for an encore and then great news! There was going to be a mini meet and greet at the end of the show! Here special thanks go to Nikki, Jacob’s lovely girlfriend (and when I say lovely, I really mean it, she’s the nicest person with a big smile!), who very efficiently helped with the whole evening from the organizational point of view.
Only a few people left and the rest of us formed a line to wait for our turn to say thank you. We all went home that night with a hundred shades of inspiration, moved to the bone on a creatively deeper level. It is not everyday that you come across a person whose art resonates with you so much and then they also prove to be super nice and open when you meet them. Thank you Jacob, the world needs artists like you. Please do what you do, exactly the way you do it, until you meet your chariot.
