On a balmy December night, Jamie xx took Melbourne to church.
His pulpit a stage at the Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts (PICA). His sermon a masterclass in atmospheric, emotionally-charged electronic music.It has been nine years since his landmark debut album 'In Colour' and nearly a decade since his last Australian headline tour, but the London producer returned like he never left, delivering a set as expansive and hypnotic as the starlit sky above (4 December).
The anticipation was palpable. With the temperature hanging at a comfortable 23 degrees, the crowd spilled into the sprawling industrial venue under a cloudless sky.
A blanket of red light engulfed the space as Jamie xx stepped behind the decks, opening with the simmering 'Wanna'. From the first note, it was clear this was going to be a night of pure immersion.
Touring in support of his much-anticipated sophomore album 'In Waves', Jamie wasted no time weaving his new material into the fabric of the night. 'Treat Each Other Right' hit like a breakbeat sermon, while 'All You Children' – his swirling collaboration with The Avalanches – transformed the crowd into a massive sing-along choir, propelled by its hypnotic chants and pulsating basslines.
Moments like 'Gosh' were a reminder of Jamie's ability to ignite pure chaos on the dance floor, while 'I Hate Hate', a cover of Razzy Bailey's soulful protest song, provided a powerful moment of reflection amidst the euphoria.
By the time he closed with 'The House Of The Rising Sun' (a Revelacion reimagining that's equal parts haunting and celebratory), Jamie had not just performed, he had told a story.
Jamie xx has always been more than a DJ; he's a curator of atmosphere, and PICA was his canvas. Bathed in deep red light, the industrial venue felt like a rave cathedral, its raw, industrial edges softened by the warmth of the crowd and the pulse of Jamie's beats.
Strobes cut through the haze with surgical precision, adding a visceral, almost physical layer to the music. Behind Jamie, projections of the audience flickered throughout the set, blurring the line between performer and participant – a subtle but brilliant reminder of the collective energy that drives nights like these.
'In Waves' is more than an album – it's a culmination of nearly a decade of Jamie xx's evolution as an artist. Tracks like 'Baddy On The Floor', his infectious collaboration with Honey Dijon, and 'Life', a horn-filled nu-disco anthem featuring Robyn, showcase his ability to balance club-ready chaos with emotional depth. Live, these songs don't just play; they breathe.
What sets Jamie xx apart is his restraint. There are no gimmicks, no overwrought theatrics, just the steady build and release of tension. Whether it's the cascading melancholy of 'Obvs' or the thunderous drop of 'Idontknow', every moment feels intentional, every beat a piece of a larger puzzle.
Jamie xx's show at PICA wasn't just a concert – it was a statement. A reminder that, even in an era of endless DJ sets and algorithmic playlists, the power of live music still lies in its ability to unite, transcend, and transform. As the final notes faded into the warm summer air, the crowd lingered basking in the afterglow.
Jamie xx didn't just return to Australia, he redefined what a night out could feel like. For the thousands packed into PICA, it wasn't just the start of summer, it was the start of something unforgettable.
