THE XX // SWG3: THE GALVANIZERS YARD, GLASGOW

Loaded with new material The xx headline The Galvanizers Yard in Glasgow’s SWG3 outdoor venue. 

THE XX PERFORMING AT GLASGOW'S SWG3: THE GALVANIZERS YARD - 29/08/2017

★★★★☆

The stage is set for The xx; glossy, dark and metallic welcoming the three members dressed with a black moody aesthetic that is typical of the group. The look matches perfectly with the bands gloomy vocal hooks and the ambient smoke rising from the stage emits a tension within the Glasgow crowd. The aptly named ‘Intro’ gets the ball rolling, followed by ‘Crystallised’ and ‘Islands’ from the bands hugely influential 2009 debut. 

The minimalist drum samples, guitar hooks and bass lines allow Romy Croft and Oliver Sim’s vocals to soar over the audience. The stage is equally mesmerising with spinning mirrors, complimenting the music to perfection. The set continues with songs from their bold 2017 album ’I See You’. From the powerful horns in ‘Dangerous’ to the decomposing relationship described in ’Say Something Loving’, these songs strike all the right chords with the crowd. 

The set continues with a mix of older and new material.  Their debut was released over 8 years ago, nevertheless, all the hits from these songs sound fresh and have a lasting impact. Although Jame xx is sat in the background, it feels like he is conducting an entire orchestra. Tapping away at his various sample pads he is dictating the performance, holding the show together. Perhaps a highlight of the night isn’t even an xx song, but when Jamie performs his 2015 hit ‘Loud Places’ with Romy. The stage now feels like a sci-fi film with various lasers dancing in the darkening sky. 

“We see you and we love you” Romy says to the crowd before finishing with ‘On Hold’ and ‘Angels’. And after that performance the feeling is definitely mutual. 

THE XX TOUR CONTINUES:

SEPTEMBER 01 - ELECTRIC PICNIC FESTIVAL 2017 - STRADBALLY, IRELAND
SEPTEMBER 07-10 - BESTIVAL FESTIVAL 2017 - DORSET, UK
SEPTEMBER 10 - LOLLAPALOOZA FESTIVAL 2017 - BERLIN, GERMANY
SEPTEMBER 23 - THE OBSERVATORY NORTH PARK - SAN DIEGO, USA
SEPTEMBER 24 - LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL FESTIVAL 2017 - LAS VEGAS, USA
SEPTEMBER 26 - GOLDEN 1 CENTER - SACRAMENTO, USA
SEPTEMBER 27 - SANTA BARBARA BOWL - SANTA BARBARA, USA
SEPTEMBER 29 - THE FORUM - INGLEWOOD, USA
OCTOBER 03 - STARLIGHT THEATRE - KANSAS CITY - USA
OCTOBER 04 - ASCEND AMPHITHEATER - NASHVILLE, USA
OCTOBER 06 - AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL 2017 - AUSTIN, USA
OCTOBER 09 - RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE - MORRISON, USA
OCTOBER 10 - THE GREAT SALTAIR - SALT LAKE CITY, USA
OCTOBER 12 - THE CRITERION - OKLAHOMA CITY, USA
OCTOBER 13 - AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL - AUSTIN, USA
OCTOBER 15 - III POINTS FESTIVAL - MIAMI, USA
OCTOBER 17 - COCA-COLA ROXY - ATLANTA, USA
OCTOBER 19 - CHAMPIONS SQUARE - NEW ORLEANS, USA
OCTOBER 21 - LIVE OUT FESTIVAL - MONTERREY, MEXICO
NOVEMBER 18-19 - CORONA CAPITAL FESTIVAL - MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
JANUARY 11 2018 - TRUSTS ARENA - AUCKLAND, NEW ZELAND
JANUARY 13 2018 - SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL - MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
JANUARY 17 2018 - RIVERSTAGE - BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
JANUARY 20 2018 - THE DOMAIN - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

REVIEW BY: SETH ALLEN
PHOTOS BY: STUART WESTWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

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