LCD Soundsystem - Final Show at MSG - Entire Show

So, I'm feeling rather sad today. It is the first day of the new world we must get used to. We must carry on and move forward, but we will be doing so without lcd soundsystem playing the soundtrack to our lives. It is a brave new world and I'm really nervous for how it's going to go. I am actually a little surprised at how much this has affected me. I mean I knew I would be sad, but I didn't think I would be this sad. I'm completely devastated. I can't help but read every piece of information related to the band today. I keep forgetting that's it's over and then it hits me. BOOM. They're done. It hurts. It's getting bad.

What I will say is that if James Murphy wanted to go out on top, he certainly achieved what he set out to do. They are at the absolute pinnacle of their career. And he crafted it beautifully. Putting a massive exclamation point on a completely stellar and impeccable career with lcd soundsystem.

He says he will continue to DJ, and I'm sure we will see some sort of new project come our way with him behind it. But there will never be another lcd soundsystem and that's really really sad. Thank you for creating the beautiful and awesome music that you did.

While you're wiping up the tears, check out this interesting piece on James Murphy from Esquire: How LCD Soundsystem Changed Music

Phoenix Played MSG (And So Did Daft Punk)

Three years. That’s how long it’s been since Daft Punk has performed live. Until last night, when they came out with Phoenix at MSG. Face Melt. I cannot even begin to type. So I’ll just leave it at that. God Bless America er, France.

Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset Part III

So Phoenix is coming to New York again this fall. I am looking forward to it. They played Rumsey Playfield in what could have been the show of the year last year. This year, they are coming back and taking on MSG. That's a bit of a larger venue. I'll be interested to see how that show plays out. But I'm sure they will blow it out like they always do. So you should buy tickets, I'm pretty sure they're still available. Show is October 20, 2010.

I wish these guys the best of luck. Not that they need it; they're already playing MSG...

PS: This is kind of a weird version. But it's new, and relevant. So, there's that.

 Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset Part III

Pearl Jam - Madison Square Garden - 5/21/10

So I got a late call from my good friend Bryan DeSalsa on Friday with a ticket to Pearl Jam's Friday night show at the Garden. Never seen em live. Always wanted to. Tried to 2 years ago when they were in town and got burned for $300 fake tickets. I blame myself. My first and last time getting burned by New York.

Friday's show, while I have nothing to compare it to, was a borderline life changing event. The floor of the garden literally shook, Eddie Vedder shed a tear while the crowd sang "Better Man". They played "Hunger Strike". The crowd was electric. They closed with "Yellow Ledbetter" and a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that would give Jimmy Hendrix a run for his money. They played almost 3 hours straight through. I can't say enough about this show, other than i must have said "ARE THEY SERIOUSLY PLAYING THIS RIGHT NOW?!" at least 35 times. Say what you want about Pearl Jam, but they put on a show for their fans like nothing I have ever seen. And the energy they put out still gives me the chills. Check out the review and set list from Billboard:

Pearl Jam - MSG - 5/21 - Billboard Review
Set List:
Corduroy
Hail, Hail
Do The Evolution
World Wide Suicide
Got Some
Breath
Nothingman
I'm Open
Unthought Known
Grievance
Amongst The Waves
Present Tense
Not For You / Modern Girl
Push Me, Pull Me
Rats
Daughter / W.M.A.
The Fixer
Why Go

1st Encore

The End
Just Breathe
Lukin
Black Red Yellow
Sweet Lew
Given To Fly
Spin The Black Circle
Rearviewmirror

2nd Encore

Wasted Reprise
Better Man / Save it for Later
Black
The Real Me (The Who)
Hunger Strike (with Band Of Horses' Ben Bridwell)
Alive
Kick Out The Jams (MC5)
Yellow Ledbetter