Live Review: Kele, Jakubi

Five-piece Melbourne band Jakubi exude positive, infectious vibes and quickly pump us up with their soulful, funky dance grooves loaded with hip hop beats.

With their unique flavour incorporating eclectic genres, this outfit also boast a charismatic stage presence that elevates our vitality. Feelgood, laidback number Couch Potato relaxes us as we sway along to the smooth, chilled-out beat with down-to-earth, relatable lyrics. A Ray Charles-inspired track channels elements of upbeat jazz with fast-paced scat singing. From their catchy “da-dadada”s to digital talkbox sound effects, we’re intrigued by Jakubi’s fresh bursts of energy as they culminate an intense jam session that blends together well and keeps us guessing.

As visuals flicker in the darkness of the room, Kele Okereke’s smooth, sweeping falsettos wash over us. “It’s time to get closer,” he says, starting off with a slow dance beat that gradually builds. He instantly makes an emotional connection with his powerful vocals backed by a sublime house beat. The Bloc Party frontman has a distinctly different sound as a solo artist, showcasing the diversity of his soulful vocals combined with a passion for dance music. His DJ mixes a nonstop, pulsating electronic beat to create a club atmosphere that manipulates us into a groove-induced state of euphoria.

“It’s time to take you to church!” Okereke yells out as he continues with Doubt and casually sips a cup of tea. This introspective song about hope, faith, music and (of course) doubt is accompanied by a continuous kick drum and dark, moody undertone. He takes us back with emotional old favourite Everything You Wanted before announcing, “It’s time to get sleazy!” and notching up of the levels with thumping, dirty basslines from his recent Candy Flip EP. Kele’s trance-like moves have us wondering if perhaps his cup of tea has been spiked. Surprising us with the most fitting Bloc Party track, One More Chance is worked into the set for our dancing pleasure. Tenderoni is an explosive club banger that guarantees satisfaction.

By way of encore, Kele dedicates a stripped-back, slow burner called Stay The Night, which he performs for the first time ever to all the lovers and leaves us longing to keep the party going.