Jacob Collier is a true enigma of the music world, creating a niche that very few have managed to follow him into and earning a reputation as one of the most talented musicians on the planet. Playing virtually every instrument known to a virtuosic level, combined with silky smooth vocals and inventive arrangements, Collier developed a strong following on YouTube and social media before expanding this over a decade into a world tour of 345 arena shows. Hailing from a musical family, Collier has a wonderful presence on stage and from the moment he walked out, he captivated the audience who have come to love his wild arrangements and inventive stage shows.

“I’ve been waiting for three years for this moment,” he said as he walked onto the stage of the TikTok Entertainment Centre. 

Collier’s trademark is conducting the audience like a choir, creating a phenomenal sound with thousands of people singing in harmony, but he left this mostly until the end of the show. Instead, he kicked things off by showcasing newer work from Djesse Vol. 4, opening with “100,000 Voices” before moving into “Wherever I Go” and “Heaven (Butterflies).” His musicianship was on display from the very start, with incredible piano and guitar solos backed by a fantastic band.

Collier has an intriguing voice, almost sounding like a cross between Mika and Brendon Urie and it works very well for his style of music, feeling extravagant enough to match his musicianship. The audience was immediately captivated by his mastery of his instruments and his voice, with the sheer musicality of the performances leaving them spellbound.

While his original works were intriguing, it was Collier’s covers that really stood out on the night. His stripped-back and textured version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was the highlight of the show, demonstrating the depth of his musicality through a unique arrangement that built the classic song into a wonderful crescendo. It left the audience in a state of shock at just how good it was. Collier was at his strongest when performing covers, as combining the heart of the originals with his own musicality allowed him to shine more than in some of his original works. While the originals were incredibly technically strong, they sometimes lacked the emotion and heart of the classics, at times almost resembling a think piece.

Interestingly, Collier seemed to recognise this himself, saying at one point that “I realised that music isn’t something that just lives in my imagination but it’s something in and for the world,” which is a statement that encapsulates his work incredibly well. There is a level of genius in his music that is rarely seen in the modern music industry but while that genius is initially jaw-dropping, there is the occasional risk that it can sometimes lack that true emotional element that allows it to fully connect.

When Collier returned to material from Djesse Vol. 4, he noted that “my work was scruffier and I actually think that was better because scruffiness is cool”. 

This approach resonated more strongly, with “Mi Corazón,” “Over You,” and “Box of Stars Pt. 1” landing particularly well. At this point, Collier introduced his iconic choir moment, with the entire audience singing a D major chord in harmony. It was beautiful, shimmery and everything you could want from the moment, standing as a true testament to Collier’s musical mastery.

Earlier in the night, Collier brought a guitarist from the audience on stage, joining him in a moment of spontaneity as they conducted the crowd together. In an otherwise very planned and measured show, this allowed Collier’s character to come through as he coached the young guitarist in how to conduct the crowd (and a word for the guitarist too, who performed exceptionally well). Collier also showed off his humour throughout the night, particularly when, after receiving boos for referring to the arena as the newly coined TikTok Entertainment Centre, he joked, “I think I might keep calling it the ICC,” prompting chants of “ICC” around the venue.

“You are the funkiest 7,000 people I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. “This is one of those gigs I’ll never forget.”

Collier saved the best for last with three outstanding covers of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” and his viral rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” These were the perfect way to showcase both his heart and his skill, closing out the night with a superb and fitting finish.

Overall, this was a fantastic night of music, with an incredible level of virtuosity on display and it will be a long time before Sydney sees musicianship of this calibre again. While some of the originals didn’t quite have the same heart as the covers, Collier ensured the show was clever and impressive enough to fully captivate the audience. This was a special night and as Collier winds down his whirlwind extravaganza tour, it will be very interesting to see what he comes up with next.

Rating: ★★★★

Jacob Collier – TikTok Entertainment Centre – 11 December 2025

Photo credit: Rory Barnes