On Friday evening, Jamie Smith, Oliver Sim, and Romy Madley Croft, collectively known as the xx, graced the main stage at Coachella, marking a significant moment as it was their first performance together in eight years. Although they had recently played a few warm-up shows in Mexico City prior to the festival, they have remained active in the music scene. Jamie xx, recognized as a prominent electronic producer, has become a staple at various festivals, while Madley Croft and Sim have each expanded on the unique sound of their indie rock band through their solo projects, which include Madley Croft’s 2023 album, Mid Air, and Sim’s 2022 release, Hideous Bastard.
The three friends, who have known each other since childhood, continue to collaborate, with Jamie having produced Sim’s solo work. Their much-anticipated reunion at Coachella, which is the beginning of a planned series of festival appearances and a “new chapter” for the band, felt more like a continuation of their artistic synergy than merely a standout set at the festival. Dressed in their trademark all-black attire, they opened with their 2009 debut single, “Crystalised,” as if no time had elapsed since their last performance.
This performance was indeed poignant. Over the course of nearly an hour, the xx presented 16 tracks that seamlessly intertwined their innovative, introspective sound with their solo endeavors, showcasing an impressive and dynamic set that reflects their evolution as a genre-defying act. While the classic xx sound—characterized by atmospheric and intimate exchanges of somber lyrics between Madley Croft and Sim—has been influential, it may not always be the most suitable for a festival atmosphere. It’s challenging to envision a Billie Eilish without the xx’s ethereal production, which has been frequently acknowledged by other artists, yet the band’s music tends to be more subdued for larger crowds. Fortunately, their keen sense of ambiance, combined with Jamie xx’s exceptional production skills, allowed even more languid tracks like “VCR” and “Say Something Loving” to gain a vibrant energy, much to the appreciation of fans in attendance.
The festival’s programming was particularly astute, as the xx’s transformative performance began in monochrome and gradually exploded into a riot of colors, perfectly aligned with the setting sun, which painted the clouds in hues of rose-gold before darkness fell. As the music transitioned from contemplative to upbeat, Jamie xx’s colorful production took the spotlight during high-energy tracks like “Treat Each Other Right,” a reimagined version of “On Hold,” and a more electrified rendition of Sim’s “GMT,” during which he mingled with the audience. The synergy among the trio remained evident, with Madley Croft’s and Sim’s emotive vocals blending effortlessly into Jamie’s captivating beats, blurring the lines between their individual works and their collective sound.
The set reached a crescendo with an invigorated performance of “I Dare You,” arguably the band’s most uplifting track, before concluding with the iconic “Intro.” In his introduction, Sim expressed that this performance felt exceptionally meaningful after such a long hiatus. Filmed again in grayscale, the band launched into what has become their signature anthem as if they were rediscovering it for the first time, ultimately transforming the atmospheric instrumental into a thundering climax that resonated throughout the now-dark festival grounds. This performance served as both a declaration of their return and a reminder that their creative journey is far from over.
