LCD Soundsystem, Feist and a Perfect Night at Red Rocks.
Almost 10 years ago to the day I had visited Red Rocks to see LCD Soundsystem on their triumphant return tour. That show still sits atop my all time favorite concert list. It was my first time at the venue AND first time seeing the beloved LCD Soundsystem. It’s fair to say expectations were unreasonably high for last Sunday’s return. Turns out that wasn’t a problem.
– WORDS & PICS BY CP
The weather was pitch perfect, 75 degrees with a streaky, muted red-orange sunset. A light breeze even showed up at the perfect time to keep things cool when people got serious about grooving. Red Rocks needs no help in the ambience department, but this was exceptional by their lofty standards.
After missing Victoryland while exploring, we settled in for Feist. She was stellar and delivered a happy, friendly and bouncy performance. Her set reminded everyone what a deep and impressive catalog of joyous music she’s built. Even if you haven’t listened to them in a while, “My Moon My Man,” “Mushaboom,” and “1234.” still feel like the best kind of nostalgia. The crowd joined during choruses throughout her set, making it an ideal transition from daylight to the dance-like-no-one-is-watching celebration that followed.
LCD Soundsystem took the stage with James Murphy looking noticeably different from the last time I saw him less than 2 years ago. He’s in tremendous shape (way to go James!) and, at 56 seemed more playful and comfortable on stage than ever before – which is saying something. We good-heartedly joked perhaps Mr. Murphy found a bag of local good time gummies before downbeat.
Dare I say, his voice seems to continue becoming more confident and capable with age. His sveltness and capable prancing prompted a nearby concertgoer to suggest a name change to GLP Soundsystem.
The band was fantastic, but that’s not particularly surprising. They always seem to genuinely enjoy their work – it’s obvious they’re having fun and the love on stage naturally translates to the crowd.
One of my favorite things during a show that begins to reveal itself as special (like this one), is to turn around and take in the entire crowd during big moments. One could argue I spend too much time facing the wrong direction and I’ve noticed the bewilderment on the faces who notice. But there’s something about seeing thousands of people react honestly and gleefully to the same thing, at the same time, in the same place that’s irresistible. I highly recommend the in-show crowd glance, it’s good for your soul.
LCD Soundsystem exists somewhere between a rock concert, a club show and a giant party. For nearly two hours they made it impossible to deny the need to get down. So get down, we did. A full Red Rocks on a perfect Sunday night is tough to beat. A full Red Rocks with the entire crowd moving without inhibition is a guaranteed giver of goose bumps. The setlist didn’t offer opportunities for rest anyway. “Tribulations,” “I Can Change,” “You Wanted a Hit,” “Pow Pow,” “Someone Great,” “New York, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down” and “Home” all showed up before a fairly perfect closing stretch.
To begin said stretch, LCD brought Feist and Victoryland back onto the stage for a jammy, loose take on “North American Scum,” turning an already big song into a chaotic Red Rocks throwdown. Then came the wonderfully full-throttled and cathartic “Dance Yrself Clean”. The gorgeous, smart and bittersweet “All My Friends” was a delightful way to wind things down beneath the giant disco ball.
But we weren’t ready for the night to end. We made friends during the show, danced with strangers, heck we even shared chicken nuggets with people we’d just met. So we stuck around reliving the night with so many others eager to do the same until they started asking everyone to please go home.
There was a cool bit of symmetry to the whole thing. My dance loving +1 had never been to Red Rocks and had never seen LCD Soundsystem. Getting to share that experience with someone else brought me back to my own first visit 10 years prior. It also added a wonderful memory on top of a night full of things that’ll stick.
It’s hard to think of what could’ve made it better. We had perfect weather, an incredible sunset, Feist exceeding expectations, free nuggies, LCD Soundsystem delivering at an elite leve (as always), new friends and dance-induced sweat dripping down the faces of an entire joy-filled crowd.
Thank you so much to Skinny James Murphy and Red Rocks… we’ll be back.
