The xx made a celebratory return to their home town London last night playing the second of two sell out shows at Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Following exemplary support from Esben and The Witch and These New Puritans the young trio took to the stage from behind a twenty foot white sheet.

As their silhouettes were projected onto the sheet the band played 'Intro'. The sheet then dropped revealing the band, all dressed in black, going on to play 'Crystalised'.

Audience participation was low with singer Oliver Sim admitting that they are "Rubbish at onstage banter." That didn't stop the crowd whooping, cheering and screaming to the start of every song however with 'Basic Space' and 'Shelter' impressing the most.

After performing a cover of Womack and Womack's 'Teardrops' The xx returned for a one song encore. Hundreds of tiny lights flickered on stage to the sound of 'Stars' and ticker tape was released from the rafters and the band left, thanking the audience profusely as they did so.

(by David Renshaw)