LCD Soundsystem...

venue:   Oceana, Brighton review date:   Thursday, 8 December 2005 photos & words by:   Amy Goodall [ intro | page 1 ]

review

Having never set foot in Event
II I was very pleasantly surprised
to find an amazing venue for
live music

Having never set foot in Event II I was very pleasantly surprised to find an amazing venue for live music. A central treasure that needs to be better utilised in the Brighton music scene I feel. Although the 80s kitsch could be somewhat overwhelming at times, with plenty of well placed bars and a seamless layout larger acts would be insane not to want to play here. With all that said, we must still remember what the Event is normally used for and of course a considerable portion of the audience represented the usual crowd who had perhaps arrived expecting a drunken club night but got more than they'd bargained for!

Local lads Waxed Apple finally opened the night after a somewhat belated opening of the doors. They certainly managed to warm the crowd up a treat. Strong similarities between Waxed Apple and LCD Soundsystem were apparent from the word go and the audience were dancing away before you could say “playsomefunkymusic!” Quite a coup for them to go from playing for free as part of the recent Brighton Live weeklong music festival, to opening up for one of the largest internationally acclaimed experimental dance acts to hail from New York!

Hot Chip were welcomed with open arms to what seemed like their very own fan club! With six members, no drum kit and only one guitar, Hot Chip's sound was intense to say the least, relying heavily on keyboards and mixing desks.

Ready for Art Brut? Let's go! Eddie Argos and his team initially received mixed reaction from the crowd. Those who understood what Art Brut are all about joined Eddie in a frantic mosh during Modern Art whilst others stood there in shear amazement and disbelief at what was set before their eyes. As Argos explained in full detail how his little brother just discovered rock'n'roll, how they formed a band, the troubles of his sex life and of course the trials and tribulations of the one and only Miss Emily Kane; the opinions of those at first against tonight's Art Brut fixture finally came round to become putty in Mr Argos's somewhat sweaty palms and had a final rock out before experiencing la crème de la crème.

...it wouldn't surprise me
if LCD don't make it back here
on their next British tour.

No sooner had LCD taken to the stage than the crowd became increasingly lairy. It wasn't very pretty I tell thee… oops wrong band, but with Kaiser Chiefs in mind, thank god they weren't there! It could have been a blood bath down the front I'm sure!

The dancing got quite out of hand as the first few bars of Disco Infiltrator  filled the venue and singer James pleaded with those in question to “calm their moves down as they just weren't dancing properly!” Unfortunately, after tonight's performance from some of our Brightonians, it wouldn't surprise me if LCD don't make it back here on their next British tour.

I'm not sure whether I'm alone in thinking LCD's vocalist on record sounds like they have a permanent cold, but live this is not at all evident especially during classic On Repeat. He sure knows how to belt his lyrics out!

The set was immaculate and dance favourite Daft Punk is Playing at my House  was a clear winner with tonight's gathering. The seemingly effortless beat demonstrated in LCD's music could manage to get the most left footed person to change their ways. Of course the zealous usage of the infamous cow bell's helps to add that special something to their set. The passion and enthusiasm exuded from vocalist James is raw and yet refined: the debut album managed to reflect this aurally and therefore was a revolutionary album which would benefit anyone's collection whichever genre preferred. Here's hoping this crisp collection is followed up shortly with their next instalment of pure dance genius.

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