Music experimentation

Once in a while, I come to know of a successful musician who has somehow flown under the radar—at least from my perspective here in little Penang. In the past, I’ve stumbled upon talents like Howie Day, brilliant in their own right but barely known beyond their domains. In the same spirit, I’ve been following 31-year-old Jacob Collier on Instagram for more than a year now—maybe closer to two; I honestly can’t say for sure. Time tends to blur when you're scrolling and surfing. But what I can say is that every time his posts pop up, I find myself fascinated, not just by his music but by his utterly unique sense of style.

He dresses like no one else I am aware of: wildly colourful T-shirts, patterned pants, neon overalls, different coloured socks and footwear that looks like it belongs in a psychedelic fashion show. If there’s anyone who can be described as flamboyant to a fault, it’s him. But beneath all that eye-popping fashion is a musician of serious depth and intellect.

Jacob Collier is not just some viral sensation. He’s a musical prodigy who’s been pushing the boundaries of harmony, rhythm and live performance for years. His ability to arrange, reimagine and improvise across genres is nothing short of extraordinary, and lucky Singaporeans can catch him live on stage when he comes round to perform on 28 May 2025. He’s already a multiple Grammy Award winner, with nominations rolling in year after year. His live shows are legendary for their energy and audience engagement. He doesn't just perform to the crowd; he pulls them into the performance, making them part of the rhythm, the harmony, the moment. Entire arenas practically eating out of his hand, clapping, singing and becoming one big, organic choir.

About a month ago, I saw something different. Something that took my respect for him to a whole new level. A video surfaced of him experimenting in real time with a full symphony orchestra. No planning. No sheet music. No rehearsal. No prior discussion. Just Collier on the conductor's podium and at the piano, casually tossing musical ideas back and forth with an entire orchestra, like he was sculpting sound from the air. It was a masterclass in spontaneity and musical fluency. He played chords, gesticulated and the orchestra responded immediately like a giant, living instrument tuned to his imagination. And just when you thought the moment couldn't get any more surreal, he turned to the audience and transformed them into yet another instrument, guiding them to sing, in unison, “I love you.” And then, just like that, when the experiment was over, he flashed a cheeky thumbs-up to the crowd—and was gone.

It wasn’t just impressive, it was mesmerising. Here was someone completely at ease in a world of complex musical language. It was a reminder that true musical genius isn’t just about technical mastery—it’s about joy, curiosity and a willingness to explore without limits. Here is the video, and observe the thumbs-up at the end of the performance:

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