Last year, the celebrated British DJ and producer Jamie xx returned from a nearly 10-year album drought to deliver In Waves; the monochromatic sequel to 2015’s In Colour. As the last stop on his U.S. tour, Jamie brought the comeback project to Franklin Music Hall on Feb. 1, turning the place into a proper dance club.
Beginning as a remix artist and a member of the 2010’s indie trio The xx, Jamie had developed a mysterious cloak of questioning around the status of his solo career. Despite releasing two albums with The xx as well as offering co-producion on his bandmates’ solo projects (Romy and Oliver Sim), the follow-up to his widely acclaimed debut was nowhere to be found. After a few scattered singles between 2020 and 2022, In Waves was hard-launched in April 2024 with the release of “Baddy On The Floor,” a disco-laced dance floor anthem.

ADAB | photo by Gavyn Green for WXPN
The show began with an opening set from Philadelphia-based DJ ADAB, who warmed up the crowd from the chilly conditions they endured while waiting for the 7 p.m. doors. ADAB began the moment security began checking fans in, spinning some atmospheric tracks in the low, red lighting. The local DJ would go on to perform a two-hour set full of flute-esque synths and steady drums, many of which sounded more like hand percussion than typical electronic samples, creating a “jungle-ish” vibe. By 8:30 p.m., the crowd had packed into the GA floor area, as the show had been sold out before doors opened.
To close the solid yet somewhat lengthy opening set, Jamie xx casually strolled out from the shadows of backstage to dap up ADAB and take the reins. He immediately built up the drama and anticipation by starting off with “Wanna,” the opening track of In Waves. The song’s piano chords are soft and pretty — almost Minecraft-esque — yet very anticipatory knowing the long-awaited project they lead into. The white lights began to strobe and he transitioned into the high-energy track “Treat Each Other Right” with hard club drums and infectious vocal chops.