The Xcerts are romantics at heart

The Xcerts will headline The Bodega in Nottingham on Wednesday, December 11, as part of their 10th anniversary debut album tour. We caught up with them to pose a few questions

What inspires your music?

Our music is very much centred around the goings-on in our lives, so I guess it’s inspired as much by heartbreak as it is dancing.

Can you give us some background about the debut album you’ll be celebrating on this 10th anniversary tour?

The record is entitled ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ which we began writing for (unknowingly) when we were 17 or so and it’s a record steeped in romanticism, nostalgia and hopeful desperation. It was really inspired by bands like Idlewild, Biffy Clyro, Manchester Orchestra... 10 years on and we’re still incredibly proud of our firstborn.

What do you like most about touring?

I pretty much love everything about touring. Performing, travelling, the camaraderie, meeting people, crawling into bed at 2am and watching a 90’s classic on Channel 5. It’s all jazz.

What can people expect from your upcoming Nottingham gig?

We’ll be playing the first album in its entirety and then we’ll be playing five or six songs from other records. We want each night to feel celebratory so expect a high energy, fun show.

What are you enjoying listening to at the moment?

Right now I’m listening to Frank Ocean, Dijon, The Blue Nile, Hunny, Prince, Bon Iver, Julien Baker, The Replacements, Brockhampton, Muna, Julia Michaels and Paul Buchanan.

What’s been your best live gig appearance as a performer?

There have been many special evenings but I think I’d have to go with our headline show at ABC in Glasgow. It was the biggest headline show we had played to date, our families and friends were in attendance and the crowd reaction was remarkable. Tragically the venue burned down a few months after we played there so it really does hold a very special place in our hearts.

■ ■See The Xcerts at The Bodega, Nottingham on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. Tickets: https://www.alttickets.com/ Price: £11.00 including booking fee.