LCD Soundsystem, Copenhagen

LCD Soundsystem: 5/5 stars

No Bra: 4/5 stars

August 14, 2010, DR Koncerthuset

I have to start this review stating that it was pouring in both Sweden and Denmark. POURING.  And I was fighting a chest/head cold.  This is not a great combo.

We decided to take the bus to Malmö central station, then the train to Copenhagen Norreport, then the Metro across the bridge to the DR Concerthouse.  We ended up getting off 1 stop too early on the Metro, and had to walk a good 10 minutes in the pouring rain.  Once inside, we down some drinks, hit the bathroom, then get into position. The DR Concerthouse is really quite something. A beautiful, modern, clean venue.  They were on the Foyer stage which is upstairs.

Opening act: No Bra.   She wasn’t kidding.  Wearing only gold lamé hotpants and her own hair, she took the stage with a self consciousness that was oddly empowering. Solo act. Just her and her laptop. I wouldn’t exactly say she sang… but she was quite a show. Intelligent, edgy vocals. Good stuff, really. Sad to see it cheapened by everyone so in shock that she’s topless. The audience was more concerned about taking photos than listening or really paying attention.

LCD…. this was great. Honestly, one of the best shows of my life.  The energy was there, the sound was there….. the songs were amazing.  James Murphy said the group was happy to play in a real club, since they had been playing so many festivals.   It was also ridiculously hot — think of a few hundred people… wet from rain… dancing like mad…   It was steamy, it was sweaty, it was loud and it was a blast.  I was asked by a few people if they played Daft Punk is Playing at My House… and of course they did. And it kicked ass.  However, I do have to say that the best song was All My Friends.  There was a group of male nerd-rockers right in front of us who got kinda crazy, but during that song they had their arms around each other, all bouncing together in unison. While they were a sweaty mess and I didn’t want them to bump into me, it really added to the song itself —  it was a really oddly beautiful moment. Actually, it made me wish I was there with all of my friends.  In the end, they did have some issues with mics which lead to them leaving the stage a bit early… very sad.

Since this is one of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen, I decided to make a list of some of the other great performers I’ve seen. These bands/performers are all worth mentioning — and seeing live, if you ever get the chance:

LCD Soundsystem

Radiohead

Wilco

Beirut

Nine Inch Nails

PJ Harvey

Sigur Ros

Damien Rice

Josh Ritter

Jose Gonzalez

Jens Lekman

Sufjan Stevens

Brad Mehldau

Pearl Jam

Architecture in Helsinki

Bob Hund

Amiina

Shelly Short

Spoon

My Morning Jacket

Utah