Think indie synth pop is an oversaturated genre? Meet XOCKHA, a band who in this reviewer’s opinion, are setting the foundations to dominate the scene. As the four-piece from the Isle of Wight arrive to local favourite venue, Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, we are greeted with silky shirts, some ‘Jacksonesque’ dance moves, all wrapped up in bouncing pop riffs which morph a relatively mediocre genre into an entirely new and exciting sound. When speaking to frontman, Ben Jones, prior to the show, he informs me this is XOCKHA’s first time playing in Brighton and that all the guys are really excited to be featuring the city in their headline tour along the south coast.

All three supports tonight contain their own quirks, some emphasise a heavier distorted sound compared to others having a more relaxed indie approach; the first two of the three bands are still in their earlier stages, yet to find their feet, but there is some potential in the midst of their sounds. One highlight does come from the bassist of final support, Mindofalion, whose sound is almost reminiscent of a heavier Stereophonics. He plays like a mad man, as though his life were dependent on this one show, with a level of enthusiasm that is almost unparalleled to most bands I've seen in a while, multiple times he comes dangerously close to falling off the stage and into the crowd entirely!

As XOCKHA are set to begin, the somewhat quiet and reserved Ben that I spoke to before, becomes a far more flamboyant vocalist who resonates in front of the crowd. He wears a burgundy silk shirt with a shimmering silver jacket which catches the light in a way that feels much as though it has been lifted straight from Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ music video. I'm just waiting for some choreographed zombies to start rising up from underneath the stage. As the boys begin, the bouncy riffs fill the air and are enough to get everyone moving; Ben begins to act out certain lyrics through hand gestures, almost as though we were all part of an incredibly elaborate game of charades, nonetheless, he is able to take control over and deliver each note incredibly well.

As the song ‘Slow//Fast’ begins, we are told this was the first song the band wrote together, it is a perfect example in setting the bar, showing just how much these up-comers have been able to developed their sound within their later releases. There are implements of strategically placed psychedelic tones which, whilst are present, are not too overpowering. A further sense of structure and thought behind each lyric is also present within the newer works; Ben’s vocals sound more stressed, in the sense that they invoke a nice level of emotion and personality to each song, which gives just a little more definition to each track. When numbers such as ‘Need To Stay’ are played, we are met by the more developed sound, indications of more synth and a breakdown which is both catchy and poetic generates a more holistic tone to the song as each instrument blends soothingly with the others.

XOCKHA’s set is both short and sweet. As the closing track begins, Ben announces that they want to have more of a ‘party’ in here. After what has already been such a successful and immersive set, the crowd happily comply, changing what was a room full of select friendship groups keeping to themselves, into a more communal crowd all happy to share a dance with each other to the dreamy sounds XOCKHA create.

To me, this show felt as though it were one whereby, when I see XOCKHA playing large festival crowds in a few years, I’ll be able to smugly say: “I saw these guys in a small room way before they became big!” XOCKHA offer a show that offers both incredibly refreshing takes on generic indie pop music and a level of charisma which few bands are able to pull off successfully today. All that is missing is the dancing zombies! Overall, XOCKHA definitely are a band that are set to only go upwards. I eagerly await their return to Brighton, as these Isle of Wight boys are sure to bring a show which will only be bigger and better than the already sublime one put on tonight.
Ben Walker