The xx (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)
What was originally scheduled as a Red Rocks show got moved to the 1st Bank Center due to snowy weather (leave it to Colorado for it to be clear after all) The XX still managed to play an amazing set for the less than sold out arena (many got refunds due to venue switch). Riding the wave of their recently released third studio album I See You, the band played a majority of newer material. Opening things with their much acclaimed "Intro" Romy Craft directed the attention as she wailed away to the opening riffs of the classic from their first album. Flanked by founding members Oliver Sim and Jamie xx the band ripped through an almost two hour set. Sim at one point acknowledged the crowd as to the unfortunate factors that caused the venue change exclaiming that "Mother Nature is a bitch" and almost certainly said they would return to the majestic venue.
The band definitely is at full speed when Jamie xx is on his game as he plays the role of conductor throughout the entire set with his array of instruments that give the band the true organic sound. Highlight of the night was as Croft and Sim left the stage with only him at the helm, he went into his recently released version of "On Hold" that went straight into the original version as the rest of the band came back out on stage to finish off the number before Romy shined on "Angels" to end the night. A perfect ending to an otherwise unexpecting 48 hours.
Openers Perfume Genius put on an amazing show that surely garnered some new fans judging by the reaction during their set.
Setlist:
Intro | Crystalised | Say Something Loving | Islands | Lips | Dangerous | I Dare You | Performance | Infinity | A Violent Noise | Brave For You | VCR | Fiction | Shelter | Loud Places (Jamie xx cover) | Encore: On Hold | Angels
Words and Images: Robert Castro
