Strobe lights shudder as two silhouette like figures hastily crawl their way down stairs to the intro of ‘Misunderstood’. BANKS Serpentina tour sees the artist break free of creative limitations. Appearing at Birmingham’s O2 Institute amid harsh light from the peak of a pyramid of steps; she reaches out to the lyrics “please let me be misunderstood”.
Shedding her skin with this 5th release, Serpentina is Jillian Banks platform for new material that showcases the vulnerability and honesty of creative freedom. Chanting vocals build to slick hand claps to form the basis for ‘Meteorite’ and typically bold synths and trappy beats guide us through ‘Fuck Love’.
‘Gemini Feed’, ‘Fuck with Myself’ and ‘Waiting Game’ feature early on. Brimming with thumping beats and sparking singalongs with fans, these assured releases still pack punch and celebrate a diversifying setlist.
With ‘Beggin for Thread’ BANKS performance stands as reason alone to why she continues to climb. Her presence on stage is magnetic and with new music she continues to push the boundaries of what we can grow to expect. ‘Holding Back’ is a statement to loyal fans that they needn’t be concerned by this reinvention, but more thrilled by the new directions BANKS is willing to explore.
