Jamie xx

Ogden Twilight • Jamie xx • August 7, 2025 • Ogden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

This year’s Ogden Twilight Concert Series has filled Ogden Amphitheater with electronic and EDM fans on multiple occasions. High-energy performances by EDM star, Kaskade and a DJ set by Disclosure were raved about by those in attendance.  I was not able to be at either of those shows.  I was, however,  able to make it to Ogden to see Jamie xx.  The venue was packed with eclectic fans, both young and old. 

I arrived at the Ogden Amphitheater as SEESOOOOO was finishing his set.  Judging by the atmosphere inside, he had done his job getting everyone ready for Jamie xx.  As I walked through the amphitheater, people seemed to be in great spirits.  Fans were buying merch, ordering food from the various food trucks, or grabbing a drink.  Many of them were socializing as they danced to the beats. People were feeling good.

Jamie xx

My knowledge of Jamie xx comes from his other musical project, the band The XX.  I had the opportunity to attend their show here in Salt Lake City back in 2017 at The Complex.  I really enjoyed that show and have always hoped they would come back to Utah.  If they have been back, I’ve missed those shows.  Jamie xx, or James Smith, handles all the synthesizers, drums, keyboards, samplers, sequencers, and production for The XX. So it should come as no surprise to see him perform a DJ set.  All of that knowledge and experience brought us an array of sounds for his entire set.

One of the first things I noticed, and the thing that excited me the most, was that Jamie xx was using vinyl records from time to time.  I loved seeing that.  Once upon a time, that was the only way DJing worked.  And to see him pulling those records out of their sleeves was pretty cool.  Watching Jamie xx from up close, I could see how focused he was on producing the best music for this audience. 

I’m not going to lie, I have very limited experience or knowledge of what EDM DJs actually do.  If you told me they just pushed play and pretended they were doing stuff, I might believe you.  I have no idea.  But being in the photo pit and watching Jamie xx work, he seemed like he was making a ton of adjustments and tweaks to the music.  He had his headphones on and off, I’m guessing, listening to what was coming to make the best transition from one song to another.  He was turning nobs and adjusting levels the entire night.  

It was fun to watch the crowd react to these songs.  People were dancing so freely. I could tell they just wanted to feel the beats and be connected with the music.  My favorite part was when a song would sound like it was winding down. People would applaud as if there was about to be an end to the song.  Just then, the beats would perfectly pick up, and the crowd would go nuts as the song either kept going or the next song was blended in.  The entire night felt like one big song.  It was a really fun experience.