LCD Soundsytem at Stubb's (Video)

It was strange to walk down, a vacant, 6th street in the 7 O'clock hour last night on my way to Stubb's but after a blistering 2 hour set from LCD Soundsystem I was happy with the early start time. The weather wasn't ideal since there was a fine mist/light rain as the doors opened so it was pretty humid with all those people packed in. I will say, the amphitheater itself, didn't seem as muddy as I had expected, I don't know much about dirt, but kudos to Stubb's for using a non-muddy dirt(?). LCD took the stage at 8:30 and didn't take a break for 90 minutes. All of the songs were huge pulsing affairs,w hich were intensified by the epileptic's nightmare of a light show. I literally had to shield my face from the stroboscopic assault but I wouldn't have things any other way. Here's the BloggyCam interpretation of LCD's opening number.


LCD Soundsystem - Us v Them video via YouTube


This is the part of the post where I complain about the crowd, since really the band is only one element to the live experience. The show was sold-out so the place was packed with a wide-variety of Austin "types" but the people who stand out in my mind are the ones who meet up at a concert to "catch-up". There was a couple adjacent to me who talked so incessantly I almost videod their conversation. Another couple, squeezed in front of me, so one was beside me and one was in front in an area of crowd that was already packed to the gills, then they started chatting with each other, with me between them. After a complete song of this, I turned and looked at them and I said, "SERIOUSLY!?!?! SERIOUSLY?!!? I paid to hear this band play." I hate doing that, but I want to ask these people, why are you here? Give me $40 and you can talk all you want and I won't bother you BUT I pay to listen to bands perform and while I can still hear the music when you're talking I can also hear your banal conversation.

So that's what I have to say about talking during a concert. My other annoyance was the people constantly trying to get closer, or see better or generally moving about constantly. Pick an effing spot and camp there people. Then, maybe after a few songs, find a different spot but saying, "Excuse me" doesn't make it ok for you, to stop, with the back of your head 4 inches in front of my face. Not cool. If you say excuse me and you're moving THROUGH that is one thing but don't squeeze into my spot bro, that's not polite no matter what words come out of your mouth.


LCD Soundsytem - I Can Change video via YouTube

With all of that said, the majority of the crowd was really into the show the whole time. People were clapping along, singing, dancing having a jolly-good time. Overall, most of my issues are issues you will experience at any show but especially the high-capacity venue shows. Each visit to Stubb's reinforces to me that I will never be cut out for Austin City Limits Fest or any other similar summer fest. I've decided I like music more than I like people, so I want to hear music where there aren't as many people around to bother me. Except you of course. You, I love. Obviously.