Thursday, September 30, 2010

Live Review: LCD Soundsystem w/Sleigh Bells @ The Orpheum, 9/28/10

Quick preface: it's Thursday, September 30th at approximately 6:28pm... and my ears are still ringing.


This has been a surreal last few weeks for me, concert-wise. Pavement was one of the best band of the 90's, and LCD Soundsystem was one of the best bands of the 'aughts' as they were. Not to mention that 2007's Sound of Silver is on my shortlist of favorite albums with "All My Friends" probably in my top 10. So yes, this was another dream come true. Add to this terrific opportunity the fact that newcomers Sleigh Bells were the opening act, and I'm feeling like they picked me for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Did I mention I was sitting really close again? Oh, I guess not. I WAS FIVE ROWS BACK AGAIN! Sorry to brag, but I guess I've just been on a hot streak. On to the show, however.


Ok, so it was really hard to get a good shot of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells. That's due to the fact that their performance was so goddamn intense! Flashing lights! Stack upon stack of Marshall amps! Gypsy-esque dancing! Although Miller had some guitar issues (he was constantly tuning), Krauss carried the show with her just-like-the-record vocals and ear-piercing screaming in songs like "Kids" and "A/B Machines." Both egged on the smaller than expected crowd, who didn't think that the opening band would start at 7:30 like the ticket said. The absolute highlight was hearing a new song that kicked ass and "Rill Rill," which is hands down one of the best songs of the year. Sleigh Bells proved that you can still have only two people on stage and still blow the audience away. Literally.


James Murphy and company took the stage a little late, but it was worth every second of anticipation. Thanks to such a multi-talented and large group of musicians, LCD sounded unbelievable. It was a bit of a treat to see Hot Chip's Al Doyle filling in for the rest of the tour as well. New tracks like "Dance Yrself Clean," "I Can Change" and "Drunk Girls" bombarded the crowd, and not a person was standing still in the whole place...although I wished some would (I was standing next to a middle aged mother and her daughter...quite enough). It was a delight to hear staples like "Movement," "Daft Punk is Playing At My House" and the jam that started it all, "Losing My Edge." Clearly not the case, Mr. Murphy, as the 'art school Brooklynites in little jackets' have learned their lesson over the years. "All My Friends" was not the closer, as I had thought, but was probably the fifth song or so in. After that, it seemed like they wouldn't be able to top themselves, but they kept the same excitement and tenacity right up to the closer - This Is Happening ender "Home." Just amazing.

SETLIST:
Dance Yrself Clean/Drunk Girls/Get Innocuous!/Yr City's A Sucker/Daft Punk Is Playing At My House/I Can Change/All My Friends/You Wanted A Hit/Tribulations/Movement/Yeah

Encore: Someone Great/Losing My Edge/Home




3 comments:

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  2. Wait I thought Al Doyle was touring with LCD not Owen. Good review though. So excited to see LCD and Hot Chip in Milwaukee!!

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  3. Thanks, it was/is Al Doyle...guess I just assumed it was whoever played bass for Hot Chip. Enjoy the show, you'll be enlightened.

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