Review: X Ambassadors Bring Gargantuan Performance to Showbox SoDo
Concert goers attending the Showbox SoDo were in for a treat as X Ambassadors‘ Joyful Tour made a stop in Seattle. The tour, named after the band’s upcoming third record, started almost a month ago and it will keep going for another one ending in Lancaster. The trio rose to mainstream prominence after the success of their second album VHS scoring a few major hits including “Unsteady,” and “Renegades.”
The night started off with pop trio SHAED, led by the powerful vocals of Chelsea Lee. The group also includes twin brothers Spencer and Max Ernst who master the production and live instruments on stage for each performance. Last time they were in town Lee was going through a bad cold which forced her to end their set earlier than scheduled. Tonight was not a problem, and she took control of each note she sung. They shared their latest single, “Lonesome,” which automatically became a favorite of the night. It feels like every time we catch these guys they keep getting better and it feels like they will soon need a large stage of their own.
The next act stepping on stage was British phenom Jacob Banks, whom was worth every single praise made. His soulful voice and heartfelt vocals drowned all the noises out making him the only thing to which you could pay attention. He has released three EPs since 2013, but fans are still anticipating a full-length sometime soon. A sign with his name was standing next to him for his performance as he and his band captivated the crowd with their set. Highlights included “Unholy War,” “Chainsmoking,” and the incredible, jaw-dropping “Unknown.”
After a quick setup, the stage was ready for the main performance of the night and shortly after nine-thirty, XA appeared. Singer Sam Harris was full of energy as he moved around the floor, while keyboardist Casey Harris filled his left side, and drummer Adam Levin his front right. Behind Sam Harris were three backup singers and a guitarist adding layers to the show full of joy.
Throughout the performance Sam Harris switch between playing guitar, bass, and even the saxophone, displaying his wide range of musical talent. It seemed that he was constantly interacting with the fans, affecting them with contagious levels of energy. Didn’t expect to witness such a upbeat show from the outfit, but it was more than delighting to catch them create a great vibe. Highlights included “Jungle,” “Unsteady,” and most recent hit “Renegades.” It was indeed a very joyful evening.
(You can find a full gallery of photos from the night here via Facebook.)