The XX

There are a few moments in history that can change your life, or the life of others. These moments are generally characterised by the ability to recall where you were when the moment occurred. For example, think to events such as Princess Diana’s death, Michael Jackson’s death and September 11 – most of you can probably remember where you were when you heard the news.

The first time I heard the xx I was sitting in the passenger seat of my boyfriend’s car, driving through industrial wasteland in order to avoid traffic. I’d just acquired my first iphone and I was pretty chuffed with it to say the least. We were listening to the radio and chatting about nothing special when a song came on. We both went quiet and listened to the song. It was magical. Click HERE. I was instantly obsessed. I used my fancy new iphone to Google the lyrics to find the artist. The love affair had started.

Since that day, I have listened to the xx obsessively. I watch them on youtube. I read about them on Wikipedia, I scour the Internet for anything and everything I can about them.

Not surprisingly when they announced that they were playing a sideshow in Melbourne on the back of their Laneway tour, I immediately purchased tickets.  On Wednesday night, I had the pleasure of listening to them first hand.

First, allow me to make an observation about the crowd. Only once before, at the Grizzly Bear gig, have I seen a crowd so enamoured with the band. Everyone looked like they were high (maybe the were) and despite the fact that it was a really humid evening and a sold out gig, the atmosphere was so calm. People were simply happy.

Now to the band, Jamie Smith, Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim, they deserve to be referred to by name. Oliver Sim. Wow. Now normally I leave a gig rather into the female vocalist, but not this time. That boy is sexy and dark. I think he may have death stared every individual in the audience before giving each of us a gentle smile. He was delicious.

The vocals, the bass, the seduction and gentle romanticism of their lyrics left me in a trance. It was a religious experience. At the end of their set, they played Infinity. The beat was so deep that you could feel it through your feet, legs and into your heart. True to form, the song built in intensity, but rather than finishing abruptly, leaving us panting, wanting more, Oliver started pounding on the cymbals, red lights on him, the audience completely entranced. And then it was over. On came the xx remix of Florence and the Machine’s You’ve Got the Love. Some of the crowd dispersed. Others, us among them, stayed. We stayed, listening to the fever pitch of You’ve Got the Love (click HERE)  hoping beyond hope that they would come back and give us one more encore.

But they didn’t. They left us. I wasn’t surprised. Their songs are full of angst, love, seduction and emotion. We were left feeling the same.