Well, second concert in Chicago this week, already. LCD Soundsystem is a favorite band of mine, and I heard they put on an excellent show. I decided to see them.
They played back-to-back shows here in Chi-town, and I opted for the Tuesday Oct 26 show at the Riviera Theatre. I like smaller venues, a good venue can make or break the show, and this was good.
It was just me for this concert. Everyone I knew was busy or concert'ed-out, so I holed up in a bar I found called the "Wild Pug" before the show. I took advantage of Dogfish Head 90 Minute and Goose Island Matilda on tap. :-)
A mediocre crowd was jamming to the opening act, "Hot Chip", an indie, steel-drum driven, synth-rock band. But everyone was there for LCD Soundsystem.
LCD Soundsystem, if you haven't followed them, has garnered critical acclaim for releasing huge electro/rock dance hits such as "Daft Punk is Playing at My House", "All My Friends", and "Movement."
At times the music is a little too awkwardly hipster and synthesized for me, but the live performance was incredible.
Frontman James Murphy steps onto the stage with a huge presence, energizing the crowd with emotion. Hips were moving and hands were in the air. A few brave souls stood like statues.
The band gave it their all for LCD's last tour. It showed.
The set was illuminated in blinking solid patterns of red, green, yellow and blue, giving "LCD" themed effects. Lights strobed to the keyboards, drums, and songs like a visual equalizer -- very cool. In the middle of the song "Yeah" a 4-foot disco ball dropped.
Only had time to snap a couple pictures. Here they are:
Definitely check these guys out if you're in the mood for some off-beat electro rock. I recommend "Sound of Silver", which made Rolling Stone's top 100 albums of the decade.