LOS ANGELES, CA — Some artists come and go. BANKS stays.
Her June 7th show at The Wiltern wasn’t just another tour stop—it was a testament to an artist who has quietly and steadily cultivated a career defined by vulnerability, evolution, and emotional truth. I first saw her perform at SXSW nearly a decade ago. Back then, her set was stripped-down but captivating, and even then, she had an undeniable magnetism that made the room feel charged. I’ve seen her multiple times since, and each time, the bond she shares with her audience deepens.
That’s the thing about BANKS… She didn’t ride trends. Instead, she built a community, one moody, soul-baring song at a time. Her music feels lived-in, bruised but beautiful, and her fans show up not because she’s everywhere, but because she means something.
At The Wiltern, that meaning was on full display. The energy in the room was palpable long before she stepped onto the stage. Conversations in the crowd weren’t about chasing the next hit—they were about that lyric, that live moment, that line that helped someone through a breakup, a breakdown, a moment of becoming. BANKS’ music has always been personal, and her fans treat it like scripture.
She’s currently touring in support of her latest project, Off With Her Head, an album steeped in themes of reclamation and rebirth. At The Wiltern, she crafted a setlist that gracefully wove together new material and fan favorites, creating a full-circle moment for longtime fans while offering an accessible entry point for newcomers. Notably, the dancers who’ve long been a staple of her live performances were absent this time around. Their absence marked a shift—one that allowed for a more stripped-down and emotionally raw presentation. It was refreshing to see her embrace this new phase with a performance that felt more intimate, letting the focus remain squarely on her voice, presence, and storytelling.
But the night’s most surprising moment was also its most intimate. BANKS sat at a piano and performed “Change.” In all the years I’ve watched her perform, I don’t recall ever seeing her accompany herself on an instrument. It was raw. Unadorned. Her voice cracked at just the right places, and it felt like the entire venue collectively held its breath. For an artist known for rich production and haunting atmospheres, this bare moment felt revolutionary. It showed not only her growth as a performer but also her willingness to strip everything back and trust the power of her words and presence.
It’s that willingness—to evolve, to expose, to connect—that has sustained BANKS’ career. It’s built on loyalty and intention, not hype. You don’t stumble into a career like hers. You earn it—one bruised lyric, one soul-cleansing hook, one heart-heavy show at a time.
Opening the night was Seattle-based artist Absolutely, and she set the tone perfectly. I’d recently covered her in greater detail in this piece,
By the time BANKS emerged, the audience was fully primed for emotional catharsis. And that’s exactly what we got. From brooding early favorites to anthems from her latest release, the show was a sweeping arc of pain, resilience, and beauty. She closed the night not with bombast, but with reverence—for her craft, for her fans, for the shared space they’ve created over the years.
If you’ve followed her for any length of time, this show felt like a reward. If you’re new to her world, this was an invitation. BANKS doesn’t need chart-toppers. She has something better: staying power. And in a world of musical ephemera, that kind of resonance is rare.
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LIVE CLIPS
BANKS Strips It Down at The Wiltern, Embracing Vulnerability and Longevity
