The one and only Jacob Banks will be taking over the First Avenue Mainroom on Wednesday, March 6th.
Buoyed by the smashing success of his recent trio of EPs – The Monologue, The Paradox, and The Boy Who Cried Freedom – Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter Jacob Banks releases his eagerly awaited full album debut, Village, November 2, 2018 on Interscope. The 14-track disc is a sprawling, deeply immersive experience on which Banks’ throaty, expressive baritone weaves its way through a mesmerizing mix of musical styles and textures.
But whether he’s riding a hip-hop groove, fiercely updating soul or jamming to neo-blues, the connective tissue throughout the album is Banks’ profound commitment to exploring human themes through his vibrant and insightful storytelling. “That’s how I really see myself – a storyteller in songs,” he observes. “I find so much of the time that musicians don’t really come across as human because they only celebrate a tiny fraction of what they are. With this album, Village, I tried to embrace all that I’ve lived through and experienced, and that gave me the mental freedom to let go and express everything I’m feeling, the good and the bad. And I think when you can pinpoint what’s really going on inside you, those themes are universal. We’re all striving for the same things – love, acceptance and an understanding of who we are.
Assessing his own work on his official full-length debut, Banks likens Village to the way he started making music back in the day. “I’ve made my favorite album to listen to with my friends. I worked with the nicest team of people, and they carried me through this process. From that experience, I now have a body of work that I can share with the people I care about, and that includes the rest of the world. I’m very proud of this achievement.”
Jessica Manning will be kicking the show off in the best possible way. Jessica Manning is an alternative-R&B artist from Minneapolis, MN. She draws influence from pop, soul, and electronic music by artists such as Frank Ocean, Little Dragon, and Kevin Garrett. Her sound incorporates electronic drums and synthesizers to create an atmosphere that her soulful melodies, rich vocals, and thoughtful lyrics soar high above.
Tickets are still available here but I don’t expect them to last so snag them sooner rather than later!
Remaining Tour Dates:
March 1 — Detroit, MI — Majestic Theatre
March 2 — Chicago, IL — Concord Music Hall
March 3 — Madison, WI — Majestic Theatre
March 5 — Milwaukee, WI — Turner Hall Ballroom
March 6 — Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue
March 7 — Kansas City, MO — Truman
March 9 — Denver, CO — Ogden Theatre
March 11 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
