Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Few UK acts of the early 1980s are as revered as XTC, who despite never having fully exploded in America, nonetheless had a string of brilliantly crafted singles that clearly rubbed off on the likes of Blur, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs and so many other artful pop/alternative rock players of the subsequent decades.

Though the group did its fair share of touring at the onset of its career alongside The Police, Talking Heads and headlining, outside of a short acoustic set at WXRT Studios in 1989, there hasn’t been a proper public show of any kind in Chicago since April 7, 1981.

But that all finally changed over four decades later when the consistently ambitious City Winery went out on a limb to land EXTC, featuring drummer Terry Chambers (a co-founder who appears on all the key albums from 1978-1983), along with vocalist/guitarist Steve Tilling (formerly of TC&I with XTC’s Colin Moulding and Terry Chambers), guitarist/vocalist Steve Hampton and bassist/vocalist Matt Hughes.

Granted, it wasn’t exactly the reunion fans had prayed about, but with the full blessing of longtime XTC leader Andy Partridge, it still logged a sellout while respectfully carrying out everyone’s legacy.

The fact that celebrated songs such as “This Is Pop,” “Towers Of London,” “Wonderland,” “No Thugs In Our House” and many others, including a TC&I shout-out, finally returned to the stage would’ve been enough of reason to rejoice, but even more so was the fact that EXTC’s interpretations of them all were faithful and fantastic.

Chambers and friends focused much of the two-hour night on his tenure, but did stretch out for a few latter psychedelia-leaning favorites (“Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead,” “Dear God,” “King For A Day,” “Mayor Of Simpleton”), which despite having no direct involvement, were welcome given they so rarely, if ever, see the light of day.

However, he was indeed the driving backbeat, both then and now, for the touchstones “Generals And Majors,” “Making Plans For Nigel,” “Senses Working Overtime” and “Life Begins At The Hop,” likely finding those in attendance pinching themselves and eternally grateful to the City Winery for digging in the record crates to come up with such a significant re-discovery.

For additional information on EXTC, visit EXTC.co.uk.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include The Iguanas & Kevin Gordon (Mar. 31); Nick Waterhouse (Apr. 1); Chicago Farmer And The Fieldnotes (Apr. 2); Great Moments In Vinyl: The Rolling Stones (Apr. 3); Soul Music Celebration (Apr. 3); The Hamiltones (Apr. 4); Colin Peterik (Apr. 5); Elvin Bishop Big Fun Trio (Apr. 6); NRBQ (Apr. 7); Will Downing (Apr. 8-10); Brendan Bayliss of Umphrey’s McGee (Apr. 11); Rodney Atkins (Apr. 12); Billy Prine & The Prine Time Band: Songs Of John Prine (Apr. 13); Elaine Elias (Apr. 14); Elle Varner (Apr. 15); Regina Belle (Apr. 16) and Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October (Apr. 17-18). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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