Live Review: The Xcerts - Deaf Institute, Manchester 26/02/2018

Fresh from a massive European tour with Nothing But Thieves, we caught Aberdeen boys The Xcerts as they stopped by in Manchester on Monday night in support of their new album 'Hold on to Your Heart'.

Opening the show was Peterborough four piece Airways who entertained the eager crowd with songs from their most recent EP Starting to Spin and some new material due to be released later in 2018. Bringing some refreshing indie vibes to the stage, Airways’ threw out hit after hit and their catchy choruses had the crowd singing along in no time. These guys are headed for success.



As the sold out venue filled up, The Xcerts took to the stage and went straight into a beautiful performance of The Dark before picking up the pace with Daydream. The band powered through a crowd pleasing setlist consisting of the entire new album and a couple of old favourites including I Don’t Care and Shaking in the Water. Vocalist Murray Macleod then slowed things down with a solo rendition of Crisis in the Slow Lane which had the entire room singing along. The success of their new album and this run of shows really shows on each member’s faces as they take the time to thank the crowd for helping them to create their ‘emotional monster’ which is sure to be the album that makes the world fall in love with The Xcerts. The band left the stage after title track Hold on to Your Heart and shortly returned for a three song encore once again providing the audience with an incredible mix of old tracks and new. Finishing the show with hit single Feels Like Falling in Love, the energy in the room was like no other and The Xcerts had certainly left their mark.



Photography and Review by Ellen Wooler