The Xcerts Live - Cafe Drummonds 06/04/11

Openers The Barents Sea had some catchy guitar hooks and some good songs, which seemed to please the already-substantial crowd that had gathered in Café Drummonds. Groundbreaking their music wasn’t, however it served as the perfect entrée to what promised to be a fantastic show, with a fun heavy indie sound.

Next up were local electro-indie favourites, Indian Red Lopez, who recently won big at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards. With a debut album due out in early June, the band enthusiastically threw themselves into a set which featured old favourites alongside fantastic newer tracks. As with other recent gigs, the band played without the big-screen visuals for which they have gained a favourable reputation, however they were not missed and the band still wowed the gathered crowd.

When The Xcerts took to the stage, the excitement in the air was palpable: it was clear that the headliners had arrived. As they energetically burst into song, the crowd went wild, and neither party let up for the rest of the night. With a career-spanning set – including early single Do You Feel Safe? – the three-piece played an exhilarating gig from start to finish.

Throughout their set, the band played tracks from their two latest releases – album Scatterbrain, and the Stairs to Noise EP – including the album’s eponymous track. New and old songs alike went down a treat with the gathered crowd, who had amassed to welcome their indie heroes home. But of course, no homecoming Xcerts gig would be complete without a rousing chorus of Aberdeen 1987, the whole room erupting into tuneful song along with singer Murray Macleod.

The Xcerts coming home is always an event worth catching, and they always seem genuinely humbled that so many people turn up to see them play. Humbled they may be, but the people of Aberdeen know one thing: when The Xcerts are in town, it’s time to party.

ES