By Spencer Bernard

X Ambassadors

This past Sunday at around 5 pm, a line outside of The House of Blues Boston started to form. By around 6:40 pm, this same line was creeping its way around Lansdowne and most likely annoying the patrons of the numerous establishments on that part of the road. What was this line for you may ask? Well, it most definitely was not for the event happening in the next door House of Blues Foundation room but rather for the highly anticipated X Ambassadors show. Accompanying them were the galvanizing indie rock band known as Now, Now. As both groups possessed the rock band element, the stage was set and ready to be ignited.

Now, Now

Starting off the night was Now, Now, who to many Bostonians and spectators in the crowd, were foreign. When rushing to the photo pit as their set started, I overheard a comment from an audience member who said, “I don’t know too much about them but I heard they were good,” and oh, was, that person right. Before stepping on stage, the dark night-like mood was set as blue mist fell over the stage. If the vast amount of smoke at the beginning wasn’t enough to captivate a spectator, the music was. The group’s style of loud instrumentals and almost far away vocals were enough to put a spell on anyone. With the exception of audience members who were singing along, the crowd was quietly gazing at the serene stage. With their pleasantly manipulative stage design as well as a mesmerizing and breathtaking mix of vocals and instrumentals, I would be willing to bet many liked the short snippet of what Now, Now has to offer.

X Ambassadors

Next up and finishing off the night was what most people in the crowd came to see, X Ambassadors. Just like Now, Now, their stage design was nothing short of magnificent. However, unlike Now, Now, their stage brought a feeling of grandness and definitely established that they were the headliner. To give a point reference, not only did the stage incorporate spots for the band members, but it also had spots for the numerous backup singers. To start the off their set, they opened with “Don’t Stay”, a song from their new album. Right off the bat, the lead singer, Sam Harris, showed everyone in the venue that his voice was not only stunning in the studio but also astounding in person. Following the first song, Sam Harris showed how he was not just proficient when it came to his vocals, but also when it came to both saxophone and guitar. With saxophone and then later guitar in hand, he zoomed around the stage and brought energy to the crowd. Later on, scattered through their set, the powerhouse hits like Jungle, Unsteady and of course, my personal favorite, Renegades were played and to know one’s surprise the whole venue was singing along. Like many pop music listeners, when I thought about X Ambassadors those powerhouse hits I listed were the only songs to come to mind. After a true X Ambassador fans experience, I can safely say I have gained a new appreciation for the different aspects of their songs, but also a burning need to click shuffle on the X Ambassadors Spotify page.