Live Review: The Xcerts - Fighting Cocks, Kingston 25/01/2018
The Xcerts are a band whose talent knows no bounds, and who can pack a punch live. Supporting the release of their new album the band has embarked on a UK album release tour this week, the last show of which was Kingston, having played the town eight times before the crowd was stronger than ever.
The release of Hold on Your Heart marks a new era for the band, of growth and development with stadium worthy songs. Banquet Records once again smash Kingston’s music game out of the park, no other record shop in the UK puts on a line up like these guys with every show proving to be a uniquely intimate experience. Once again the Scottish natives managed to bring a room of strangers together as a family, inviting a show newbie on stage for Slackerpop.
Support came from Sun Arcana, kicking off the evening with a heavier theme, although their sound is of a different caliber to the new Xcert’s album these guys rocked hard. ‘Wonderful’, the band’s first single which was released last year was at the height of this band’s performance, the Essex rockers made a lasting impression. The vocals are reminiscent of Counterfeit crossed with an earlier Don Broco, with haunting lyrics to match. Having supported Skindred on tour last year and with new releases, this band is paving their way to making their mark on the scene.
My favourite song of the show was 'Feels like falling in Love' it embodies the band's talent and passion so elegantly with the spirit of the album in tow. With a release three weeks into January these boys have set a high standard for new releases this year and generated a new level of hype for their upcoming UK tour. The Xcerts who’ve just headed back out on tour in Europe with Nothing But Thieves managed to break the UK top forty for the first time with the release of ‘Hold on to Your Heart’ marking a new breakthrough for the band. I can’t wait to see these guys break through to bigger crowds in the upcoming year.
Photography and Review by Jessie Morgan