Known for their quirky brand of indie electronic pop as exemplified by hit tunes like “Crystalised,” “Angels,” “On Hold,” and “Say Something Living,” the British trio known simply as The xx (pronounced ex-ex and always in lowercase x) recently kicked off their 2018 Asian tour in Jakarta.
The tour, which is in support of their third studio album, “I See You,” also includes a long overdue return trip to Manila where they last played five years ago. While they pretty much mesmerized audiences at the now defunct NBC Tent at Bonifacio Global City, this time they’re set to replicate the same enchanting energy at the World Trade Center on February 7.
Composed of Oliver Sim on bass and vocals, Romy Madley Croft on guitar and vocals and Jamie Smith a.k.a. Jamie xx on beats, MPC, synths, drums, keys, record production, The xx, has over the years, developed a solid following that includes nearly 4 million followers on their official Facebook page.
In a recent interview with InterAksyon, Jamie xx, a world renowned DJ and remix artists in his own right, said their latest album “celebrates many things including friendship, family and growing up,” all of which are in reference not only to their being bandmates for over 10 years but also to the fact that they’ve known each other since they were kids.
“Our friendship is what binds us together. It’s what makes the band special. And the new album is a testament to that,” Jamie declared.
Even though they all share a passion for music, Jamie said each of them are into artists belonging to different genres including Jimi Hendrix, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division and New Order. He admits to be more partial to soul and hip-hop while Madley is more pop-oriented and Oliver is into R&B.
“Over the years our musical preferences have expanded and we now listen to everything, be it rock, jazz or techno. The diversity is somehow reflected in the new record,” Jamie pointed out.
Asked about his own unique role in The xx which includes remixing their songs and even enhances them with samples of popular tunes like Hall and Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That” in “On Hold,” Jamie sees himself as more of a producer who is more at home in the recording studio than on stage.
“I usually create samples from the songs in my own record collection,” he admits.
As for their live performances which The Guardian UK has described as “maximalist extravaganza” and Star2.com of Malaysia calls “utterly bewitching,” Jamie attributes it to the band’s propensity to tweak things after each performance.
“We try to mix things up during our tour. The result is a different experience for each group of audiences in each of the city we perform in,” he shared.
Tickets to “The xx I See You Manila 2018” concert on Feb 7th can be purchased on ticketnet.com.ph. Special discounted tickets sold exclusively at Astroplus retail outlets: SM North Edsa The Block, SM Megamall, Astrovision Cash & Carry, Astroplus SM Manila, SM San Lazaro, SM Taytay, SM Pampanga, SM Bacoor, Festival Supermall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, Glorietta 2 Mall & SM North Edsa Cinema.
Watch The xx’s official music video for their biggest worldwide hit to date, “On Hold” from 2016 here:
