Chilly Londoners the xx played a shortish sans “Crystalised” set as a three piece on Saturday, a night the more up-swinging Friendly Fires clearly stole for many of those in attendance. (Then again, the truly angsty would welcome a shortened, uncomfortable xx set as all the more reason to cuddle up with a blanket and cry yourself to sleep while listening to “Shelter.”) Kyle Dean Reinford kept his eyes dry and captured the evening in pictures.
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I really hate the XX, love the music, but I just can’t stand the two singers. The “drummer” is a completely acceptable person, but the other two I cannot stomach, except for on their album.
They’re just so self-consciously dour and humorless. It’s very affected in an immature way. Tiresome, really.
They’re trying to say something in a subtle way…right?
Does anybody else think the chick from THE XX kinda looks like elliott smith in way
Not if Elliott didn’t have Downs Syndrome. I honestly didn’t know she was a woman for a longtime. I was reading an article that said “she” and I did a double take. Then I did some internet sleuthing and found out she was in fact a woman. Granted as a man I thought he was very effeminate.
Oh stop bitching, all of you.
I wouldn’t call it bitching, as I legitimately like the band’s music. I’d call is critical observation.
so i kept reading about the XX in promotional outlets like blogs like this and music mags, etc…and i figured based on the descriptions i was reading, i’d be into them.
but I’m sad to report that this band is another group of talentless hacks with a contrived “look” and sound and a hype vehicle driving them straight from The Elliott School (which gets mentioned so much because Hot Chip and Four Tet also went there but seriously, who gives a shit? it doesnt mean they make good music) to the indie poserfest and possibly beyond. Beyond is probably only in the cards if they get the better looking girl back and start coming up with some ideas that are actually original and not leftover wannabe goth shoegaze drivel.
“we wear all black and several silver necklaces. We’re soo cold and cutting edge…for total dweebs.”
seriously. this might be the dumbest comment ever made.
ever.
Nah, you’re just dumb.
you are aware that friendly fires headlined this show, right? and are indeed the better live act even if their pitchfork score was a bit lower than that of the xx, right?
okay, good, just making sure. friendly fires kick ass. that is all.
i agree. friendly fires is a must see live. ed macfarlane is the standout in an all together incredible live act. go and try to not dance/bounce/wiggle, immitate mr. ed’s moves. i dare you.
To be honest, they are probably some of the ugliest-looking people I’ve ever seen.
Maybe I should listen to the music one of these days and form an opinion based on that.
And they are ugly in the wrong way. They are trying to look cool/be attractive. Personally, I’m an ugly son of a bitch, but I know that. There are tons of ugly people in music, but that really shouldn’t matter. Look at the Pixies and Radiohead for example.
I hate when blogs/magazines/whoever wants to give more importance to a support slot because it’s more in line with their current hype mood.
Wasn’t at this show, but seen Friendly Fires before and they were pretty good. And their album is much better than the xx, by the way.
I don’t know, I like both The xx and Friendly Fires. I was at the LA show in November and they both put on a great show, albeit different moods. FF kind of extended each of their songs into an all out dance fest, which is okay but got old rather quickly. Also played a new song, but I don’t think they said the name of it.
I like the album, but have absolutely no intention of seeing the XX live – is that strange?
I just think it would be as boring as bat shit