Selling out two Festival Hall gigs, the crowd poured into venue like moths to a flame. The standing area was soon filled to capacity. Eventually, The xx filed onstage. Jamie XX manned about eight different pieces of equipment/instruments including his turntables, keyboards, drum machine and what seemed to be an glockenspiel. Opening with Try, both Oliver and Romy were able to exercise their vocals amid the eerie, oscillating synths. Moving through Heart Skipped A Beat and Crystalised they picked up the tempo. It was during Chained that I realised Oliver possesses the same dark energy pubescent girls seem to attribute to Twilight vampires. Though, if he were to be likened to any vampire, it would be Spike from Buffy. Only Oliver is a real person. With real talent.
After Reunion Jamie XX performed solo with Far Nearer. The audience enjoyed the bass heavy, dance tunes but they really went wild at the first notes of Sunset. The chilled vibe of the vocals and stage presence of the group was enhanced by the bass heavy tracks and busy lighting. There wasn’t too much dancing as the audience focused on the lyrics and subtle melodies.
In no time at all The xx thanked the audience and left. For a good five minutes Festival Hall shook with stamps and shouts demanding them back, which they eventually obliged to. Their encore featured my fave Islands. Oliver spoke to the crowd and thanked Melbourne, which is consequently the city they had their first big show at during Laneway Festival a couple of years ago. Infinity and Angels were next and then they bid their adieu.
BY TAMARA VOGL
LOVED: The chilled atmosphere.
HATED: That the air-con got a little chilly (surprising for Festival Hall).
DRANK: Water.
