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The XX: Bestival Review
Indie | Monday 17th September 2012 | Osh
To say the XX are the band of the moment is somewhat an understatement, arriving on the scene in 2009 with their self –titled, critically acclaimed debut album, in a single moment the XX picked up the stagnate indie scene and shook it to it’s very boots. Their unique blend of minimalist surf rock, hushed vocals and reverb filled guitars made them over night sensations. 2009 saw them go on to win a Mercury Music Prize and the anticipation concerning the second album has been steadily growing ever since.
Their follow up Coexist today claimed the number one spot from fellow contenders the Script and the legendary Bob Dylan and it was the perfect mix between this and the debut which formed the set list for undoubtedly one of the highlights of the weekend.
The trio emerge on a smoke filled stage amongst colossal cheers and shrieking and open with the first single taken from the new album Angel. A number which could easily have been taken from the debut yet shows a certain maturity, a statement of intent for the new album and a set which from the very first chord sees the crowd fall instantaneously silent entranced in the eerie, atmospheric spell the band so effortlessly cast.
The set showcases the new album brilliantly punctuated every few songs with a classic from the first album Crystalised, Islands and VCR all feature in an otherwise practically unknown set. Yet these songs aren’t the ones you’re waiting for. The new album easily holds its own in an emotional performance which sees the crowd weepy eyed for a band with which so little does so much.
As the final few notes of the ever epic Stars ring out all that remains is the contemplation that for a band of the moment the XX look certain to make their moment last a pretty long time.
By Joe Longhurst
