The XX/ Friendly Fires Concert ReviewThe XX and Friendly Fires show on December 1st brought an excellent opportunity to see two of indie music’s current gems on display in one night. Expectations were high. Thankfully the bands delivered one of Chicago’s most dynamic concerts of the year.
Just keep on bringing me closer
Hailing from London and currently on a blistering whirlwind tour buzzing around the globe (they are set to return for two more shows in Chicago in April, one with JJ and the other with industry heavyweights Hot Chip) the XX are made up of two 20 year olds with a guest keyboardist/percussionist playing with them on tour. Raking in praise from all sources of the print and blogsphere, the XX currently sit somewhere near the top of emerging buzz bands in the indie world. Your correspondent was anticipating their lack of experience and soft music style might present a problem engaging a full concert hall. These worries were quickly dismissed when the band opened with “Intro” and the crowd fell quietly at their feet. Rolling through the first four songs of their album in order, the band drew us into the tiny world their songs reside in, keeping out of the way to let the listeners mind’s meander into the bedrooms and the backrooms of bars where they might imagine the lyrics of the songs take place. Their bedside manner was finely tuned as Singer- bassist Oliver Sim cooed a simple “Thanks” in a British accent after most songs. The songs themselves took on a new sound as they filled Bottom Lounge, heavy distortion and crisp vocals gave the songs a much warmer feeling then you could hear from your headphones on the way to work. Singer-guitarist Romy Madley Croft demonstrated that it was in fact her who you came to see, as she all but had the audience dabbing at their noses with their sleeves after soul laden “Shelter”. I suggest you go see them if you can on their upcoming tour, as they are worth any price of admission. Yes XX; I am yours now, so now I don’t ever have to leave.
After all this time
This was the second appearance in Chicago for British Friendly Fires after their Sunday afternoon Lollapalooza performance. I made the mistake of choosing to see Ra Ra Riot over the Friendly Fires that day. The grand stage of Lolla was no place for the squeaky Ra Ra Riot to be performing, as their set sounded acoustically terrible and I spent most of the time watching them on the video screen as they appeared forever distant in the afternoon sun (their performance at Schubas this fall more then made up for it though). Eager to get this bad taste out of my mouth, my crew was 10 feet from the stage and ready to party. Opener “Lovesick” kicked off the show, and I don’t think anyone stopped moving their feet for the next 90 minutes. Lead singer Ed Macfarlane is a showman to say the least. His dance moves emulate a baby fawn learning to walk on ice; call it goofy, call it silly, but don’t call it boring. It’s almost like his dancing is there to say “See look how much fun I’m having? Dance with us!” Unknown to me, they performed with a full band, including two trumpets and two drummers/bassists, allowing each song to reach its full potential. Guitarist Edd Gibson was a pleasant surprise, his guitar solos sent “Strobe” into a dizzying U2-esque spiral and made “White Diamonds” sound like a bona fide rock and roll song. The crowd was smitten, and clamored for a good ten minutes in cheer for an encore before they came out to close with “Ex-Lover”. Dear Friendly Fires, I will never sleep on you guys again.
Et Cetera
Cheers to the Bottom Lounge for bring in two great acts and being able to handle the acoustical differences both these bands presented. Also thanks to Mr. Dan Melillo for the tickets!
Till next time,
Kris
