LCD Soundsystem
Masonic Temple Theatre
August 21, 2025
Let me just say this right at the top – this was one of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen.
I’d easily put it in the top 20 for me -- maybe even higher. And that’s coming from someone who has witnessed a lot of live shows. But LCD Soundsystem really does pack a punch, with an eight-piece live band lead by frontman James Murphy, who is somehow laid back and formidable as a frontman throughout their 3-set, 19-song performance.
Throughout the show, LCD made slight nods to their synth-pop forefathers, weaving in slices of Kraftwerk’s “The Model” and New Order’s “Your Silent Face” into their own material.
But it was their originals that helped them stand out so fiercely against even their greatest influences. Their certified anthem “Dance Yrself Clean” sums it up perfectly.
It’s wildly dynamic, using a quiet tribal drum pattern that slowly builds into something MASSIVE. When the propulsive synths of the chorus hit, the crowd lost their minds.
That idea of quiet-loud-quiet works so well for LCD Soundsystem both live and in their career choices as a band. They’ll leave you waiting, begging for more. And when they finally show up, the crowd literally hits the floor.
You can hear the influence of New Order and Kraftwerk and even Detroit techno within their work. LCD Soundsystem has spun this into their own blend of synth-forward music with a dastardly punk edge that brings in dissonance and angular frustration between beautiful bursts of massive chord changes and ultimately a sense of longing within every note.
They would’ve fit right in on a tour with Depeche Mode at any point in the 80s or 90s. LCD Soundsystem could easily play a warehouse rave and fit right in with the DJs spinning whatever, but they’re more patient than that with their own drops (quietly building a world of music softly before letting it explode).
Within their music, there’s tension. Something is always building.
Here’s a prime example. From the opening notes of “Tribulations” (from their self-titled debut in 2005), you could tell there was something in the air for this show -- LCD’s first show in Detroit in eight years! It felt like a mini-carnival was coming to town, with everyone buzzing weeks before about who had tickets and “are you going?” and “I saw them once and I cried” and lots of other huge claims.
It worked on me. It was my first time seeing them after being a huge fan for years. And I was absolutely HYPED.
That’s probably where the lore helps out an LCD show quite a bit. They haven’t released much music recently. They’ve vaguely hinted at hiatuses and break ups, disappearing and then re-appearing with little announcement to do residencies around the world but never a full fledged tour (until now).
And when they do finally show up in your town, it is a stripped down stage design that is completely focused on the music and Murphy’s dynamo lyrics about growing up, growing old, growing disinterested and, of course, like one of their best songs, losing your edge.
But all of that works! They don’t need smoke and mirrors and stage banter to win you over.
I’ve never sweated more in a large theatre show like this -- it was absolutely sweltering with people dancing on the mainfloor, in their seats and all the way to the rafters (the show was nearly sold-out and one of the most packed I’ve seen in this venue).
I mean, I haven’t seen that many people laying down and leaning against a wall -- or just straight passed out -- within the first 45 minutes of a show ever. I’ll give credit to the heat and the performance of LCD Soundsystem. Very thankful to attentive medical staff throughout the night!
At one point, I was completely shirtless and dancing like a madman.
But luckily, I didn’t require any medical attention.
