GIG | The xx 'I See You East Coast I See You' Live from Sydney Domain 20/01/18
Photo credit: Cindy Yohana.
Normally the Domain in Sydney is famous for bright and cheerful celebrations like Carols by Candlelight, but on Saturday, the thousands of people who gathered there celebrated the darker ambience of the music of The xx.
Forming in Wandsworth, London in 2005, indie pop band The xx consists of Romy Madley Croft (guitar, vocals), Oliver Sim (bass, vocals) and Jamie Smith (beats, MPC, record production).
Since their inception, The xx have been on a steady journey from high school obscurity to international stardom, and their love affair with Australian audiences has grown from strength to strength. Making their professional Australian debut in 2010 at the Laneway Festival alongside other now well-known bands Mumford & Sons and Florence and the Machine, The xx's tracks have since featured on a variety of television shows, from 'Cold Case' to 'Suits', and film soundtracks including 'I am Number Four'.
Their music is a blend of indie pop, electronic and electro rock, with a strong use of guitar that sets The xx apart from many other contemporary electro/pop bands today. Add to that Croft and Sim's shared vocal duties, and the effect is one that pays off.
The Domain gig was very highly anticipated, with tens of thousands of people making the journey through the hot summer evening to see the band perform. As Sim observed during the show, this was a stark contrast to their first Australian performance, which he estimated entertained an audience of approximately 56.
With the Sydney CBD skyline providing an impressive and distinctive backdrop, special guests Kelela and KUCKA performed as the local fruit bats drifted about the sky. Hailing from Perth, Australia’s own KUCKA provided a set of musically complimentary, ethereal electronic-pop that certainly put the audience in the mood. Soon followed American singer-songwriter Kelela, whose distinctive sounds ranging from dance music and a hybrid of house, electro, R&B and hip hop left the audience wanting more as they waited in anticipation of The xx.
The stage was a relatively minimalist set up this time around. Rotating reflective lighting pylons at the sides of the stage provided dark ambience at one point, before lighting up in vibrant rainbow, or the near-blinding white light that flooded the open air venue, all appropriate to the tone of each song.
Photos AJ Morris.
As for the band members, although they performed atop a high stage several metres from the audience, they attempted to stay as close to the edge as possible to maintain a close proximity with fans. For those who were too far back to get a good look, gigantic screens on either side of the stage kept everybody in the loop as to what was going on.
Playing for approximately an hour and a half, The xx's opening song was most fittingly the Intro from their debut studio album, 'xx' (2009), which lead into their debut single, 'Crystalised'. Soon to follow was the crowd-pleaser, 'Say Something Loving'.
A moving and heartfelt rendition of 'Performance' saw Croft performing solo - a true standout and one of the many highlights of the evening.
'Infinity' saw Sim and Smith return to the stage, and song after song the audience sang in unison. At the crescendo of the evening, the band launched into 'On Hold' - lead single from their third studio album. Fans were so excited they sang before Sim could start singing himself, letting an amused giggle escape into the mic.
'Angels' was their final song - lead single from the band's second studio album, 'Coexist'.
A major highlight of the show was the degree of humility and appreciation the band showed for their fans in attendance. The xx can be described as an understated band, often letting the music speak for itself - a change from that cringing scream many rockers are known for, “THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW EVER!!”
The band took time to thank Australia for voting “Yes” for marriage equality, observing that the plebiscite and it’s results made headlines around the world, even in their native Britain.
Speaking in a 2017 interview, Croft explained the band's point of view on sexuality and acceptance. "I want our fans to know that we care and that we see them, no matter what their sexuality; just to shine a bit of light and help in a little way if we can. At the moment we're on tour in the US and doing the same thing. There's money from each ticket, and the guest list as well, going to services and community centres." In keeping with this commitment, Sim explained that for this East Coast of Australia tour, The xx have partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket purchased went towards local LGBT+ programs in each city of the tour.
After experiencing a concert that was inclusive and accepting of all, it was evident just how diverse The xx's fanbase is. The band will now continue its 'I See You' tour, playing various shows throughout Asia.
Set List
Intro
Crystalised
Say Something Loving
Islands
Heart Skipped a Beat
Dangerous
I Dare You
Performance
Infinity
A Violent Noise
Chained
Lips
VCR
Fiction
Shelter
Loud Places (Jamie xx cover)
On Hold (Jamie xx Remix)
On Hold
Angels
