LCD Soundsystem performs at Re:SET Chicago on June 25, 2023.
Long before fans got the chance to dance themselves clean during LCD Soundsystem’s headlining set during the third and final day of Re:SET Chicago – held at Riis Park on June 25 – cleansing rain showers washed across the grounds. While the weather did cause L’Rain’s early afternoon set to be cancelled, the other acts on the bill overcame the less than stellar forecast to deliver a party fueled by camaraderie, and great music.
The British punk outlet Idles began the festivities with “Colossus.” Before fans knew what hit them, mayhem broke out in the crowd as guitarist Lee Kiernan leapt from the stage to join the masses. All the while vocalist Joe Talbot prowled the stage with a menacing snarl that he unfurled between songs to share joy and love with the soggy crowd.
“This song is a celebration of the people who made our country a better place and definitely [made] your country a place. It’s called Danny Ne-fucking-Delko.” he said provoking the entire field to erupt at the first notes of the Joy as an Act of Resistance immigrant anthem.
Idles perform at Re:SET Chicago on June 25, 2023.
“I’m Scum” gave Talbot a chance to share what he thinks about things like the British monarchy (“Fuck the king) and a few legends of Chicago (“Shout out to Frankie Knuckles and Pequod’s”). Later, when LCD Soundsystem joined Idles for a raucous, percussion-heavy rendition of “Rottweiler,” crowd-surfers emerged in the crowd.
All the love the audience poured on Idles was given back to them ten-fold. Talbot took advantage of every chance to express his warmth and appreciation for fans for giving Idles the opportunity to do what they do.
“It’s the best feeling in the world and I hope you get a small fraction of that. Thank you. And, fuck the king, am I right,” he said adding, “Go, Cubs,” for good measure.
Jamie XX performs at Re:SET Chicago on June 25, 2023.
After a downpour and a set-time delay, Jamie XX did the seemingly impossible and transformed a rain-soaked – and, at that point somewhat dreary – park into the perfect early evening dance party. Starting things slowly to ease fans back into the show, he soon had everyone grooving in every corner of the grounds.
Performing solo from a platform near the soundboard, Jamie XX paid homage to his fellow Re:SET artists by adding songs by Idles and LCD Soundsystem – along with a nod to his own band, The XX – into his set. The rain was persistent, but before his set was through, like magic, a double rainbow appeared in the sky.
LCD Soundsystem performs at Re:SET Chicago on June 25, 2023.
“This has been fucking great. We watched everything today. You guys have been amazing, putting up with all the shit. Thank you. Thank you,” said LCD Soundsystem founder James Murphy addressing the weather near the start of the New York band’s headlining set.
“Get Innocuous!,” “I Can Change” – with an intro tease of Kraftwerk‘s “Computer Love” and “You Wanted a Hit” got the party started before “Tribulations” and “Movement” created a harder rock vibe. “Losing My Edge,” “Home” and “All My Friends” were further standouts of the setlist.
Like Idles and Jamie XX, LCD Soundsystem also seemed to truly enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow artists as well as their friends and crew members who were taking turns filling in for bassist Tyler Pope. After shouting out L’Rain – who ended up making up for the cancelled set by performing at Cole’s Bar later in the evening – Murphy shared his gratitude for the bands, and the fans, that made the day one to remember.
“We played this whole tour with Idles and they’ve been fucking unbelievable,” said Murphy. “And for Jamie XX to just show up and play out there and just crush it has been really wonderful for us.”
Check out photos from the wonderful experience that was Day 3 of Re:SET Chicago below. More information about the concert series can be found at Resetconcertseries.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
