After
upgrading venue sizes, tonight’s performance from The XX questions the potential
of such a minimal sound in a 5000 capacity venue. Many of the audience openly
speculate whether a band that became popular through their intimate roots will
be able to adapt. Compared to Brighton Dome, the large corporate arrangement of
the venue tonight lacks character and hospitality. On entrance it screams bleak
conference centre. The tedious amounts of queuing and youthful audience almost confirm
any thoughts that The Dome would have been a more appropriate setting.
Poor
sound from support Mmoths and The Kindness suggest the headlining band may be
in for a challenge. The dulcet tones of minimal collective Mmoths set the mood
for the crowd but struggle to gain any momentum. The Kindness then take to the
stage in an overly extrovert manner. Eccentric dancers and 60’s soul reaps
through, leaving audience members feeling confused as to how they’ve ended up
on tonight’s bill. The only element, which so far captivates are the
accompanying retro visuals displayed on a futuristic backdrop.
Then
emerging from behind a compelling projection of oil and metal, the military
statures of The XX begin to loom on stage.
Three of the most enigmatic characters in pop music greet their audience
nervously before ploughing straight into chart topping single ‘Angels’. The
band have played a number of intimate venues in this influential seaside town “You’re like our second
home to us Brighton”, singer Oliver Sims laughs. Within a few songs the venue
is forgotten and you are transported into an evocative ambience.
The
dark silhouettes imitate Romy, Oliver and Jamie as they ease their way through
a set of hypnotic melodies from both their debut album The XX and latest
release Co-exist, including cult classics ‘Crystallise’ and ‘Basic Space’. After
‘Nightime’, the venue encounters its first hint of movement, intense reverb shakes
the balcony erratically but the crowd remain still. Jamie Smith, manages to pick up the pace on ‘Reunion’
and ‘Islands’ with more sub rhythms and a glimmer of Dub. Older songs from
their debut album are often reworked and remolded throughout the night
providing interesting changes from their two years of live crafting. Half way
through the show, it appears each member is becoming less reserved and we start
to witness the characters behind the music.
Throughout
the performance, continuous strobes and abstract projections are interspersed
between songs to heighten the occasion. The fixating atmosphere, lo-fi
instrumentation and lingering vocals are then interrupted by the band’s own
take on Wham’s Last Christmas which fails to translate. Perhaps this is their
suggestion against the serious personas they choose to adopt. The night’s aura
is then regained with an increase of BPM for a stunning encore ending with the
haunting emotion of ‘Stars’. Questioning of the venue is no longer necessary, as
the audience stand mesmerised. A giant glowing X rises behind them, as the band
walk off stage having achieved a musically flawless performance of melancholy
noise and arena welcoming precision.
