X Ambassadors Throw A Political Party @ ULU

by | Sep 1, 2017

Want to front a chart-topping band? You’ll need more than a distinct voice. You’ll need to be a cheerleader, inciting the crowd to wave their arms or sing along in unison, like it was their idea in the first place. You’ll need so much energy that standing still is simply not an option. You’ll need the swagger to pull off iconic rock star poses (like holding your guitar aloft while in silhouette), without a hint of irony. And you’ll need the sincerity to deliver passionate monologues that celebrate both unity and self-acceptance.  

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

In short, you’ll need to be Sam Harris. He’s a frontman as mercurial as the songs he performs with X Ambassadors, a band as capable of pairing a chunky Van Halen guitar riff with a sax solo, as belting out a soul anthem. Clearly not content with just recreating the pristine sound of their 2015 debut album VHS on stage, the quartet let their songs breathe and their collective talents take full flight.

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Harris’ older brother Casey is a prodigious keyboard player, regardless of whether he’s laying down bluesy organ vibes, twinkling synths, or flamboyant piano flourishes. Harris’ college friend Adam Levin is a swinging drum player, as capable of the stomping beats of Loveless as the more subtle shuffle of Joyful, a majestic, not-yet-released ballad of gospel proportions that transforms ULU into a glowing sea of mobile phones.

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Touring guitarist Russ Flynn oozes the bassline of the R&B groover Hang On with as much confidence as the fiery Gibson SG solo he unleashes on morning-after rocker Low Life or the fuzzy distortion that dirties up a suitably rowdy Jungle.

X Ambassadors @ ULU Live, London (Edyta Krzesak)

X Ambassadors @ ULU Live, London (Edyta Krzesak)

But it’s the boundless singer and multi-instrumentalist who still comes out on top. On the irrepressible Gorgeous, dedicated to all the pretty people of London, he not only plays noodly lead guitar but breaks out a Prince-perfect falsetto. The sensual Naked (about learning to be vulnerable in a relationship and/or just stripping off) opens with the frontman on sax, while Renegades (with a powerful introduction about celebrating diversity) ends with him pounding Levin’s drums.

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Ahead Of Myself, the towering lead single of X Ambassadors’ upcoming second LP, allows Harris the vocalist to pay tribute to soul legends like Otis Redding and Ray Charles.

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

Sam Harris of X Ambassadors (Edyta Krzesak)

But it’s Hoping, released earlier this year to support the American Civil Liberties Union and performed solo tonight on an acoustic guitar, that truly reveals the magnificence of his voice. With all the charisma of ‘70s era Stevie Wonder, he croons “It’s time we tip the scales/ With the weight of the world on ourselves now” as the audience echo the refrain of “Keep on hoping”. The perfect balance of the personal and the political, the  brazen and the beautiful, it’s just another reminder from Harris that the perfect frontman must be able to do it all. 

Live review of X Ambassadors @ ULU by Nils van der Linden on 29th August 2017. Photos by Edyta K.

Blair Davie (Press)

Blair Davie Shares Uplifting New Single ‘Wouldn’t Be Right’

Rising Scottish singer-songwriter Blair Davie has unveiled their newest single Wouldn’t Be Right, an infectious yet tender anthem released today via Giant Music. Fusing upbeat melodies with introspective lyrics, the track builds on Davie’s growing reputation as one of the UK’s most emotionally honest and promising new voices.

Oasis (Simon Emmett)

Oasis Launch Official ‘Live ’25’ Fan Stores Ahead Of Sold-Out World Tour

As Oasis prepare to make their long-awaited return to the stage in 2025, the band has announced a major new addition to the fan experience: a series of official Oasis Live ‘25 Fan Stores set to open across the UK and Ireland, beginning with a flagship location in Manchester this Friday, 20th June.

Cam (Szilveszter Makó)

Cam Announces Intimate London Show & Bold New Album ‘All Things Light’

Following the recent release of her spellbinding single Alchemy, GRAMMY®-winning artist Cam has officially announced her third full-length studio album, All Things Light, due out Friday, 18th July via RCA Records. Alongside the album news, the Huntington Beach, California-hailing musician has also confirmed a special one-off intimate show in London at The Tabernacle on 10th July 2025 — marking her first UK performance since her 2023 Roundhouse appearance.

London Grammar @ Lido Festival 2025 (Ellie Koepke)

London Grammar Close First-Ever LIDO Festival With Mesmerising Set In Victoria Park

The inaugural LIDO Festival came to a triumphant end on Sunday night as London Grammar delivered a spellbinding headline set to a sun-kissed Victoria Park. The final act of a groundbreaking, artist-led ten-day event, their widescreen pop swept across the East London fields with crystalline clarity, bringing the festival’s closing chapter to an emotional high.

Opus Stage for Lorna Shore - @ Download Festival XXII - Sunday (Simon Reed)

Sunday In Photos At Download Festival XXII

Sunday at Download Festival XXII delivered an electrifying finale to an unforgettable weekend, blending heavy riffs,...

The Zipheads launch a Rock’n’Roll Renaissance on Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th is, of course, the perfect day for The Zipheads to launch their much awaited third album Rock‘n’Roll...
Sophie Lloyd @ Download Festival XXII - Saturday (Simon Reed)

Saturday In Photos At Download Festival XXII

As Download XXII roared into its second full day, Saturday continued the weekend's adrenaline-fuelled ride with...
Charli xcx @ Lido Festival 2025 (Henry Redcliffe)

Charli xcx’s ‘PARTYGIRL’ Rules The Night At LIDO Festival 2025 — A Euphoric Takeover In East London

East London was ablaze with brat energy on Saturday night as Charli xcx delivered a genre-defying, euphoric headline...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing