LCD Soundsystem, I Love You But You're Freaking Me Out

So, of course, I was rushing to get out of work last night around seven-thirty, desperately trying to make it to the Fillmore before Hot Chip started their set. LCD Soundsystem's twitter feed had announced a few hours earlier:

"warning!!!! tonite is early!!! get there before hot chip starts at 7:30! (what's up, detroit?? why so early?)"

After frantically trying to find a parking space, realizing I forgot my wallet and would have to run back to my car and then getting thoroughly searched by security, I cut my way through the crowd to see Hot Chip playing the opening to "And I Was A Boy From School". I watched them for a couple songs until they played one I didn't recognize from their latest album and went to the bar for a Jack and soda. I made my way back down to the front where I had a chance to relax and settle in for what was about to be one of the greatest nights of my life.

2010 will always be the year that I put This Is Happening on repeat as a soundtrack to my life. Whether it was intently deciphering the lyrics of "I Can Change" and "Home", or driving around blaring the bass line of "Pow Pow" or only catching in the silences of conversation the melodies of the likes of "All I Want", "You Wanted A Hit" or, really, any part of the album. Front to back this is absolutely one of the best pieces of music ever produced. Maybe it's just that I'm growing into life as an adult and realizing how really real my reality is, but nothing will ever take away from me the sheer emotion I feel listening to this album.

They started their set, as I knew they would, with "Dance Yrself Clean", the opening track from This Is Happening. A fight broke out behind me during the opening of the song, and I did my part to restrain one of the guys and repeat to him, "It's okay, it's okay." This was not the atmosphere for violence. Everyone was joining in on the "Ahhhs" as the song built and built until the eventual release as the song, and the concert itself, kicked into gear. The energy was unbelievable. There was nowhere else I'd rather be.

I was surprised that they only played five songs from This Is Happening. Each one brought tears to my eyes and I felt an incredible connection with James and his lyrics. One major part of LCD Soundsystem's genius is that the issues and emotions they address are honest and relatable. James is the quintessential self-aware hipster; steeped in a world of coolness and elitism but at the same time bored and fed up with drama. There are no other bands like LCD Soundsystem, and there never will be. Who else can make a chorus out of just repeating the word "yeah" over and over?

After "Home" ended their customary encore, I could see the band talking just off stage, and we continued to cheer for more. James came back onstage and said something (as close as I was to the stage, it was hard to hear him between songs) about how they feel weird about encores but this was the last night that the bassist from Hot Chip would be joining them, so they were going to play a special additional encore in honor of the occasion. They started to play "New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down" before James stopped again and made a statement about how "I know you want us to say 'Detroit, I love you', but that just wouldn't fit the actual song" so they weren't going to do that. It was touching and I enjoyed our special performance all the more. I couldn't fall asleep before going home and listening to the album again. And I can't answer anyone's questions of "How was the concert?" without saying it was the best I will see for a long time.