The xx Debut Quietly

By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 7, 2009 9:40PM

"Today is special. It's our first time playing in Chicago," announced Oliver Sims, co-lead of British trio The xx partway through a whisper-soft set of selections from the band's much heralded 2009 debut. It was appropriately cold and pitch black in the cavernous Bottom Lounge as a packed house stood silently, welcoming the musical newcomers with their undivided attention.

A duo of light boxes washed the stage in eerie radiance, projected outward from X-shaped cutouts. The band, now a trio after recent loss of keyboardist Baria Qureshi, appeared quietly, swimming in layers of nondescript black clothing and tangled silver necklaces. Their expressions were an introverted mix of slight smiles and downward gazes as they kicked off their set in chronological order of their self-titled album, blending the droning echoes of "Intro" into the optimistic chorus of "Vcr." The mingling of Sims' voice with his female counterpart, Romy Madley Croft, was chill-inducing, soft yet icy, distant but oh so familiar.

The band reeled through "Shelter," Basic Space," Night Time," and "Crystalised," each track faithful to its recorded original, if not better. Instrumentation was sparse. Single bass notes and lonely drum clacks furthered the subdued mood, a calculated minimalism that spoke elegance over amateurism. The words flowed effortlessly from Sims and Croft, often from behind barely parted lips coupled with closed eyelids. The band's performance of "Infinity" was the night's highlight, a rendition so intimate our skin prickled in time to the lonely beat.

The xx were not the headlining act last Tuesday night at the Bottom Lounge, but the young band's brief set foreshadowed a great future for the trio. Large stages and festivals are sure to arrive in short order, but we'll never forget the moments of shared intimacy that summarized The xx's Chicago debut.

The xx return to Chicago on April 19 supporting Hot Chip at The Riviera and we suggest you grab tickets now.