- Opinion
- 29 Jul 19
What a party!
Jacob Koopman took to the stage to a roar of cheers from the crowd, following a triumphant, X-Factor style introduction by one of Grafton street's favourite faces, Paul Jenkinson! Lifting his guitar to the audience in appreciation as they sang along, Jacob opens his show with the title track of his first E.P 'Blindfold'.
As Jacob continued with one of his first single releases 'Thick and Thin', he had the audience dancing along from the start. This, while originally released with Devon Connor rapping allowed the boy from Bali to take this chance to show off his range of talents breaking down the song with fast paced verses and guitar skills to match.
Pausing his catalog of music, alongside his tight knit band, Jacob performed my favourite cover of John Denver's 'Leaving on a Jet Plane'. One of the first songs I heard Jacob play on Dublin's Grafton Street.
As the night continued, more and more of his crowd began to sing out to new and old songs. Before moving to sing an oldie but a goodie, Elvis Presley's ' Can't Help Falling in Love with you'. It was an emotional, yet comedic performance. Couples wrapped around each other, phone lights lighting the room and ended with a friendly heckle "Sign my babies!".
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Throughout the concert, his intricate guitar finger-work was mesmerising to watch and hear. The tempo slowed for a yet to be released number 'Weight of the wave'.
And then, the finale: 'Bad Guy', a song that had already been played but the crowd demanded once more as an encore. The fast paced, unique rendition of the hit song. Not a body in the room wasn't leaping around, dancing in excitement to the epic chorus.
To end a fantastic night, he danced on top of speakers – while introducing his band one by one and thanking them. Quite a fantastic sight to see with cheers and chants that shook the floor!