Live Review: LCD Soundsystem – Brooklyn Steel, New York (11.04.17)

LCD Soundsystem did a run of shows at the brand new venue Brooklyn Steel. The band showed they’re not losing their edge whatsoever. And, we all know. I was there.

I have to preface this by saying LCD Soundsystem was my ‘white whale’. My friend invited me to see them at the Hordern all the way back in 2010, and I said no because I ‘don’t really like them that much’. One day, not too long after they’d played that Hordern show, I suffered an awful hangover. I listened to “I Can Change” on repeat for a full day, while I lay in bed feeling like I was dying. I was hooked, and so disappointed when they decided to break up and I’d only seen them at the 2011 Big Day Out, not a smaller or longer show.

I did see them again at Panorama Festival last year, but there’s something about a band with a lot of members playing different layers of music and instruments that just doesn’t quite translate to an open air festival setting. I thought that would be it but they proved me wrong by playing five nights in a row at, and effectively launching, brand new venue Brooklyn Steel.

Last night’s show was one of the best I’ve been to in years, made better by the fact they were playing to a home crowd, and celebrating the opening of a new music venue in a time when many have decided to close. There was also the fact James Murphy told us not to use our phones throughout the show, which put us all in the moment and not concerned about the best Snapchat filter to use.

When they arrived on stage to George Michael‘s “Freedom! ’90” after an extended soundcheck, the room erupted and got ready to dance. “Us Vs Them” was the perfect opener to get everyone going, and their disco ball cast light over the band, stage, and front of the crowd. “Daft Punk is Playing at My House: was played at a blistering speed that added to its urgency and the crowd called out “Oooh, ooh yeah!” along with Murphy throughout the chorus.

My hangover song, “I Can Change” was next, and slowed the set down a little. “Get Innocuous”, a great album track, was a hot mess live. The instruments weren’t working together, the mix was off, and Murphy was a little out of time throughout.

They redeemed it with the scathing, tongue in cheek “You Wanted a Hit” and then brought the mood right back up with a double whammy of “Tribulations” and “Movement”. Both brought on a whole lot of butt-shaking and arm waving, while everyone obeyed the no mobile phones rule and got their best moves out.

“Someone Great” isn’t the most energetic of their tracks, but it got one of the biggest receptions of the night. The crowd could be heard singing “And it keeps coming, and it keeps coming,” along with Murphy as the song reached its peak.
Home” was a big surprise, and a welcome one at that. If I had to choose a favorite LCD song, that would be it, and at times I smiled so hard I thought my face would break. The “Ahhhh AHHHHH” that preceded each verse was another key singalong point, and as the song hit its peak, it sounded like everyone in the venue was singing, “No one ever knows what you’re talking about, so I guess you’re already there.”

This part of the set was rounded out by “New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down”, a song that makes you feel so much more when you see it performed live in New York. The crowd’s air drumming was rife at the end of the song as Murphy lamented, “Maybe I’m right, maybe you’re wrong, and maybe I’m right.”

The next part featured four new songs, the second of which was my favorite, that I hope will go on to be featured on a new album. The night finished with the epic “Dance Yrself Clean”, which caused a mass dance-off, everyone to scream, And you go… STOP!” and a whole lot of fist pumping, and “All My Friends”. The whole front section of the crowd jumped and yelled along to the final chorus and asked that ultimate question: “Where are your friends tonight?”

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets to Splendour in the Grass, one – you must be magic, and two – I can’t tell you strongly enough to go and get down with LCD Soundsystem. Even if you’re not a fan, listen and become one because their live show is so strong right now you’ll regret it like I did if you miss out. Get along to the sideshows in Sydney or Melbourne instead if Splendour tickets proved impossible yet again, and dance yourself clean with James and his mates.

Setlist:
Us v Them
Daft Punk Is Playing at My House
I Can Change
Get Innocuous!
You Wanted a Hit
Tribulations
Movement
Someone Great
Home
New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down

Encore:
Emotional Haircut
Tonight
Call The Police
American Dream
Dance Yrself Clean
All My Friends

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES

July 24th | Hordern Pavilion, SYDNEY | ALL AGES
www.ticketek.com.au

July 26th | Margaret Court Arena, MELBOURNE | ALL AGES
www.ticketek.com.au

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