Review – The Xcerts –Stoke Sugarmil –Saturday 2nd April 2011

Nights like this are always going to be tough for an up and coming band, trying to make their mark on a scene. The same could also be said for the venue as well, as the overall attendance in the Sugarmill tonight is somewhere between 30-40 people, in what is a stark contrast to the sold out Funeral For A Friend show here earlier in the week, where the place was packed to its rafters.

It must also come as a sharp dose of reality to The Xcerts, only a few days removed from supporting Biffy Clyro at their sold out Royal Albert Hall show, as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual concerts.

However, faced with a somewhat apathetic crowd, they fare well, playing a good mix of tracks from their debut album In The Cold Wind We Smile, as well as choice cuts from their critically acclaimed sophomore release Scatterbrain.

Opening with the riotous title track from that latest album, The Xcerts show no signs of a dire turnout affecting them, and plough on with the job ahead, much to their credit.
Over their brief 40 minute set, their angular alt-rock stylings sound brilliant, and although some of the tracks are weaker than others, there is nobody who can discredit how impressive tracks such as Crisis In The Slow Lane and Slackerpop sound tonight.

They sound massive.

Sure the set has its low points, especially when at times you can hear the crowd chatting over the more delicate and emotive songs, but the clattering finale of Hurt With Me is awesome, and shows that The Xcerts have a bright future ahead of them. It is clear to see why they have been picked as ones to watch over the next year, and more exposure and quality shows like this will only do their reputation the world of good.

Bands such as Biffy Clyro cut their teeth early in their career with shows like this, and The Xcerts will have to start owning these nights to push on and match the former in the popularity stakes. They will undoubtedly have better shows than tonight, as will the venue itself, but that does not mean that all in attendance have not just seen a glimpse at the future.

Setlist: Scatterbrain/Do You Feel Safe?/Distant Memory/Gum/Slackerpop/Crisis In The Slow Lane/Young (Belane)/Aberdeen 1987/Hurt With Me