THE XCERTS // O2 ABC, GLASGOW
ACCLAIMED ROCK TRIO THE XCERTS BRING 'HOLD ON TO YOUR HEART' TOUR TO GLASGOW
THE XCERTS PERFORMING AT O2 ABC, GLASGOW - 23.02.18
PICTURE: CHRIS YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Opening the evening were local Glasgow band Pinact, who took to the stage with a very sparse crowd in front of them. With two albums under their belt - latest album 'The Part That No One Knows' was released back in 2017 - Pinact delivered an excellent set despite being a last minute addition to the lineup. The band were entertaining and were not disheartened by the rather empty venue and finished strong with a big cheer from the audience.
Main support came in the form of Airways, an indie rock band from Peterborough. Having released their debut EP "Starting to Spin" last year and fresh off a recent run of shows supporting Nothing But Thieves, they were here to warm us up for The Xcerts and did a decent job at doing so. They played a varied set with latest single and set closer "Mate" being the highlight, but I couldn't help shake the feeling they weren't the best fit for the bill. However the musicianship was tight and they sounded great while the venue gradually filled for the main event.
Finally taking to the stage to a massive cheer and opening with slow burner "The Dark", then kicking into their single "Daydream" from latest album "Hold On To Your Heart", The Xcerts are here to play one of the biggest headline shows of their career so far. Having gained some momentum from the new album release last year, the venue is finally packed and ready to sing along. Playing a set mainly dominated by new music with a few old ones thrown in to please the long time fans, they deliver a fantastic set with frontman Murray Macleod getting the crowd involved throughout.
The new songs sound excellent live with particular highlights being "First Kiss Feeling", "Cry" and title track "Hold On To Your Heart". They even manage to include "Drive Me Wild", which on the album features some brilliant saxophone, but at this show Murray asks the crowd to imagine it as there's not enough musicians on stage to play it this time. Taking the stage solo for the encore, Murray treats us to a lovely rendition of "Aberdeen 1987" with the crowd singing back every word. Finally closing the night with "Slackerpop" and their huge single "Feels Like Falling In Love" the band leave the stage triumphant and with beaming smiles.
Throughout the show, The Xcerts remind us a few times of old stories they had brought up recently regarding the journey they have taken to get where they are now and tonight they have proven that the excitement around them right now is entirely justified.
THE XCERTS SETLIST: O2 ABC, GLASGOW - 23rd February 2018
The Dark
Daydream
I Don't Care
Shaking in the Water
First Kiss Feeling
Show Me Beautiful
Crazy
Cry
Crisis in the Slow Lane
Drive Me Wild
We Are Gonna Live
Hold On To Your Heart
ENCORE:
Aberdeen 1987
Slackerpop
Feels Like Falling in Love