Alt-rock duo ARXX played an unforgettable set for their headline Birmingham show
On November 5th, the Brighton-based alt-rock band, ARXX brought their infectious energy and angsty, alternative tracks to the O2 Institute 2, Birmingham - the fourth stop on the UK tour for their latest album, Good Boy.
The power duo ARXX, also known as Hanni (they/them) and Clara (she/her), unsurprisingly rocked the stage, taking fans on a journey through their latest music, with plenty of their older, staple tracks included.
But first, the upcoming star Phoebe Green had the vital role of opening the show, readying ARXX’s fans for the night ahead with a series of alt-pop tunes.
Photo by @madileighketley
Accompanied by their sister, Lucy on keys, Phoebe treated the audience to performances of her latest single, Love Song alongside popular tracks from their 2016 album, 2:00 AM and their most recent, 13-song project, Lucky Me.
Soon after, when the clocks struck 9pm, it was time for the main act to take to the O2 Institute 2’s stage.
Returning to Birmingham since their last performance in support of the American, queer pop artist FLETCHER at the O2 Academy in May, ARXX were determined to make the most of their headline show.
Matching soulful vocals with riotous instrumentals - and with moments for slower, more reflective songs in between the alt-rock dance anthems - ARXX’s performance took fans with them through the chapters of their music.
Photo by @madileighketley
With Hanni serving vocals and Clara on drums, it was clear to see their energy matched the unapologetic self-assuredness of their latest album’s lyrics.
Delving deeper into what Good Boy means to them on their October 4th Instagram post, ARXX explained:
“This album is queer in its very nature; everything about it is queer and you can’t get away from it. The songs are very personal, and a celebration of being who you want to be in whatever way that manifests, and being fucking honest about it. By the time you get to your thirties, you think you should know yourself by now. But actually, you continue to learn about yourself the entire time.
This album is our silly and sincere love letter to our community and our younger selves. We are all good. Even if your world or your government or your peers tell you you’re not. Queerness is good. Queer joy is sacred.”
Playing the new album in almost it’s entirety (every song aside from Baby Berlin), here’s the setlist for anyone who missed it:
Trouble
Deep
The Last Time
Like Hell
Swim
Murder on the Dancefloor (Sophie Ellis-Bextor cover)
Forgive and Forget
Call Me Crazy
Easy
God Knows
Dublin
All Night
What Have You Done / Believe (Cher cover)
Love Me Again
Good Boy
Encore:
Crying in the Carwash
Ride or Die
During the show, ARXX reminisced on their previous visit to Birmingham, sharing an antidote of a time backstage when FLETCHER walked into the bathrooms while Clara was applying hair putty to her hair, and FLETCHER called it a ‘hair gel moment’. Adopting the phrase, the band now refer to random things as ‘a moment’.
Soon after, the show came to a close with a roar of applause from fans for the encore, and both Clara and Hanni pointed to the sea of fans in the audience wearing merch from their previous tours and shows, saying it felt like ‘a museum of all of our merch’.
Photo by @madileighketley
Clearly loved by their dedicated fanbase, its no wonder that their Birmingham show was a massive success, with fans whispering as they left the venue about how they just can’t wait to see the band on stage again.
For fans of Haim, Dream Wife and Alabama Shakes, ARXX are certainly an upcoming duo to watch out for in the alt-rock scene.
To stay in-the-know about what’s coming next for the band, make sure to follow them on Instagram, and head to Spotify to hear the rest of their discography: