SiS at the Club: LCD Soundsystem

Ever since I relocated to Boston in January, the one show i was looking forward to finally occurred Friday night when LCD Soundsystem took command over the Avalon. There were already tons of people out there by Fenway at the Sox game, but the club was packed and the band was ready to give them what they came for.

As the band took the stage, featuring Hot Chip's Al Doyle on guitar, Margret Wang on keyboards and vocals and Pat Mahoney on the drum kit, the started belting out the opening the beats as James Murphy made his way toward center stage. Using an old style boxed microphone that almost made him look like the announcer at a boxing match, he was the ringleader. Sometimes he played the cowbell, sometimes he banged on some drums, but most importantly he kept the crowd moving for the better part of 90 minutes. He didn't say much, but the only memorable quote he had dealt with how if you're on the dancefloor, and you were dancing alone without some girl nearby ... that's not the way to do it. Their set was chocked full of the best songs on their latest album, Sound Of Silver, playing all but the title track (which is the only song I don't care for.) Live, the songs get new interpretations that sometimes work (like the what seemed to be sped up post-punk angst of "Movement," while the closer "New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down" ended the evening on the extended jam) while sometimes, said interpretations don't work (the key change just doesn't seem right on "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House.") Either way, it was a night I won't forget: my neck is still sore from dancing this Monday morning, and I really don't dance much.

LCD Soundsystem Set List:
Us V Them / Daft Punk Is Playing At My House / Time To Get Away / North American Scum / All My Friends / Get Innocuous / Tribulations / Watch The Tapes / Movement / Yeah // Someone Great / No Love Lost / New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down

Opening up for LCD was Yacht, solo project from Jona Bechtolt of The Blow. Hailing from Portland, he reminded me of another Portlander: Panther. All Jona did was humor the crowd, hit play on his laptop or whatever it was I couldn't see from the side of the stage, and he sang and danced through his entire set. He jumped down and danced with the audience mid set, while also taking part in an impromptu Q&A session, even answering one of mine. (Question: How was it for Yacht to play on a Yacht? Answer: It was awesome!)