Jamiexx reunites with bandmates at LIDO festival

South Wales Argus

08-06-2025

The electronic DJ made famous for his band The xx brought on fellow members Romy and Oliver Sim to play some of their biggest hits, including Waited All Night.
The 25,000-strong crowd were not deterred by the miserable weather, with showers and dark, grey skies throughout the day, and braved the downpour to see the 36-year-old play his best-loved songs.
He managed to captivate the crowd without a word, playing favourites like Life featuring Swedish singer Robyn, Dafodil featuring Kelsey Lu and Loud Places with bandmate Romy.
After singing together, Romy waved to the crowd, shouting: 'We love you, London,' and kissed her friend on the cheek as she departed the stage, having already performed earlier in the festival as a solo act.
At one point, he launched into a remix of I Hate Hate, which featured a dancer wearing what appeared to be a keffiyeh with colours of the Palestinian flag around the neck, dancing enthusiastically in the background visuals of his set.
Dressed in a chequered shirt and a gold chain, the DJ nonchalantly took to the stage, occasionally waving or raising his beer to the audience, before rolling up his sleeves and turning around to flick between the vinyl records he might use next.
After beginning his solo set with a piano-based song, he increased the tempo and played a mix of garage, house, dubstep and techno tunes.
Jamie xx managed to stir the crowd with songs such as F.U. featuring Erykah Badu and Baddy On The Floor featuring Honey Dijon.
The 36-year-old had already set off the festival, which began at around 2pm, playing a back-to-back set with Skrillex in the production tent.
The graphics around the main stage for the DJ's closing set began as a black and white checkerboard – styled like a nightclub – before featuring the audience dancing in slow motion and honing in on certain dancers.
Before his main show, Jamie xx performed his first-ever back-to-back set with DJ Nia Archives, with whom he collaborated on a remix of Waited All Night.
The pair took it in turns to perform tracks to the full crowd's thundering cheers underneath the big top tent.
Hailing from London, the DJ – real name James Thomas Smith – found fame as part of the trio The xx, which was hugely popular throughout the 2010s for its breathy indie pop.
Named after Victoria Park's historic Lido Field, the music series was announced last autumn in East London.
Charli XCX, Massive Attack and London Grammar are also headlining across the festival's weekends.
The artist curated the line-up for today's festival, inviting former bandmates such as Romy, friends and people he says he admires, including Sampha, Arca and Shy FX.
For the first time, the club stage The Floor – inspired by Jamie xx's club residencies – was available to fans, featuring smoke, dark lights and acts such as DJ Harvey.