The XCERTS have been knocking on the door of stardom for several years now. Throughout that time many things have changed: their style, their label, even the place they call home. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is their fans faithful, wholehearted dedication to them. In many ways, their homecoming tour kick-off at The Haunt encapsulated that infatuation candidly, and it showed that The XCERTS might just have knocked down that door with a bulldozing 14-song set featuring new ones, old ones and favourites.

The first support of the night were Brighton’s Wild Cat Strike, who mix Noah And The Whale’s impish, charming folk alongside combative, almost hard-rock riffs with very impressive results. Having just signed to local label, Small Pond Recordings, they showed their talent and likeability in a short set that they grew into and I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the coming future.

The main support for the night, and indeed the whole tour, were Brighton’s Big Spring. In this case, the name matches the music as their explosive, impassioned sound is massive with plenty of buoyancy but, if anything, they seem hampered by their own genre. Their biggest and best song of the night was 2016 single ‘On a Bamboo Sleeping Mat’ which has tinges of an indier rock song found in the likes of The Wytches and Drenge, rather than harder rock counterparts, which was impressive and distinctive. Apart from that, though, Big Spring seem determined to break into the realms of the heavier rock sphere, and I’m not so sure their sound is distinguishable enough.

It’s not often in venues the size of The Haunt that there’s a genuine sense of anticipation and excitement buzzing throughout the venue, from back to front, but this was the case when The XCERTS arrived. Kicking straight into latest single ‘Daydream’ the crowd went crazy for Murray Macleod and co. and the sound levels only rocketed from there.

The best part about The XCERTS’ live shows is that there’s a real community feel. The fans sing-along to every song, scream “I love you” at the band like teenage girls would at a One Direction concert and dance like there’s no tomorrow. In fact, I overheard one fan saying “I don’t want to go to the toilet in case I miss my favourite song”. There’s a real innocent enjoyment that both the band and their fans get from XCERTS gigs that is unmatched with any other band, especially in venues this small. The band use this to highlight important issues too. During the show, the band dedicated a section of their set to Brighton band Architects, who lost their guitarist Tom Searle to cancer a year ago. Murray also made a fierce speech about sexual assault at gigs, which is a huge problem, especially in the rock sphere. It’s refreshing to see a band use their heightened platform for good reasons.

Musically, it’s the slower, solo songs from lead singer Murray that are the most impressive. A slower than normal version of ‘Pop Song’ sounds fantastic as the whole room comes together for the chorus, but debut album cut ‘Aberdeen 1987’ is the highlight of the show. Arriving as the first song in the encore (which “is the first XCERTS encore in our 13-year history” according to Murray), it not only showcases Murray’s delicate, vulnerable vocals but also the crowd’s allegiance to the band. This song came out eight years ago – and wasn’t even released as a single – and not a single member of the crowd didn’t know the words. Additionally, fast numbers ‘Shaking in the Water’ and lead single from Hold on to Your Heart, ‘Feels Like Falling in Love’ illustrate The XCERTS trademark bombastic, anthemic pop-punk.

The XCERTS are an old-fashioned, hard-working band that, in days of corporate venues, extortionate ticket prices and evil touts, are completely in it for the music and their fans and it makes them a joy to watch. With album number four on the way in January, The XCERTS can see the bright lights of stardom radiating through that door.

Liam McMillen

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