Citizens! owned the tiny stage at XOYO Thursday night, welcomed by a sweaty crowd on one of the hottest days of the year thus far. Launching second album, European Soul, was the main order of the evening, but truly they were ushering in the start of the summer. Their intelligent yet fun brand of smart ’n’ smooth synth and guitar driven pop is the perfect soundtrack for those super sunny days spent chilling out in a park; icy booze in one hand, lover in the other.
Frontman Tom Burke subtly commanded attention in a black and silver jacket – ‘EUROPEAN SOUL’ etched across the back – as he led the room through songs new and not so new. The crowd, ever-so-willing to give themselves over, kept the energy circulating.
The best of bands aren’t created, they just happen and this is a band that is picking up momentum, on the cusp of something big. Shallow they are not; the next evolutionary step in art pop no less.
They’re on tour. Grab a ticket and a cold one from the bar and allow them to soothe you.
Words and images:
Robert Gershinson
Dan Bull
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