The XX Enjoy Firsts at Bonnaroo

Posted on Jun 11th 2010 3:27AM by Benjy Eisen
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Thursday was officially the opening day of Bonnaroo again this year, but originally, Thursday night at the 'roo was a kind of pre-game sneak peak. Historically, the night has showcased up-and-coming bands alongside ones that, in the Internet age, are the new instant classics. And, if music blogs and Facebook status updates are any indication of real-world pulses, The XX indeed have their finger on it. The band just recently launched their first-ever headlining tour...and, just weeks into it, are already headlining Bonnaroo's first night. Good work, kids.

Whereas on opening night of The XX's own headlining tour last week in San Francisco the crowd stood still and/or gazed at their shoes the whole time, at Bonnaroo music fans gave them a grand Bonnaroo welcome: an audience ten thousand strong danced, bobbed, clapped and cheered along as the band ran through material from their self-titled 2009 debut album. The songs were stretched out and rearranged slightly, in some cases, to adapt to the live environment. And by the time the band went into their cult hit 'VCR,' guitarist Romy Madley Croft was able to sing, "I think we're superstars" with extra conviction. She was right.

"This is our first time here," bassist Oliver Sim admitted to the crowd. "Thank you for making us feel so welcome." And though it wasn't a first for Bonnaroo, The XX were even awarded the privilege of an encore. That doesn't happen that often at Bonnaroo. Let alone on Thursday.