Rebirth of VHS - X Ambassadors review

By Sean Alexander

X Ambassadors took the stage at The Showbox in Seattle last week to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their debut album, VHS. Part of their 2025 VHS(X) tour, the performance was both a nostalgic tribute and a creative reinvention. The tour, supporting their reimagined album VHS(X), marks a rare moment of reflection for the alt-rock band. Not satisfied merely revisiting their early hits, X Ambassadors breathe new life into them with fresh arrangements, emotional depth and songs that never made it into live sets the first time around.

“This was a chance to rewrite our history a little bit,” frontman Sam Nelson Harris said recently of VHS(X). That sense of reclamation echoed throughout the night, from the powerful crowd responses to old favorites like “Renegades” and “Unsteady,” to quieter, long-overdue moments like the live debut of “Feather.”

“Before this tour, we had never played this song in front of an audience,” Harris said to the crowd before launching into the track. “That’s one of the coolest parts of doing projects like this, giving attention to songs that maybe didn’t get it the first time around.”

The band opened the set with power. A thunderous rendition of “Jungle,” set the tone for a night that would seamlessly oscillate between pounding alt-rock and tender piano ballads.

A standout moment came midway through the set. Harris hit the soaring final notes of “Gorgeous,” then immediately transitioned into a sultry saxophone solo, only to be met by a well-placed melodic guitar line. It was a sequence that perfectly encapsulated the night: both technically impressive and emotionally textured. The performance in one word was polished.

Songs like “Superpower” and “Jungle” brought explosive energy to the room, with the crowd roaring along to every word. “Unsteady” offered a quieter, more reflective moment. Introduced with a beautiful solo by Casey Harris on piano, the band’s reworked version of their breakout ballad landed with poignant resonance.

Throughout the performance, each member of the band, moved effortlessly between instruments and roles, showcasing the kind of genre-blurring versatility the band has leaned into in recent years. From saxophone solos to stripped-down acoustic moments, the trio delivered a show that reflected their willingness to revisit the past through a new lens.

X Ambassadors teased new music expected next year, signaling that while the VHS(X) tour is rooted in reflection, the band’s creative momentum is far from slowing down.