LCD Soundsystem head honcho James Murphy appeared on The Colbert Report last night to perform “I Can Change” and talk about his recent announcement that the band’s forthcoming Madison Square Garden show will be their last.
In truth(-iness), host Colbert was so busy cracking wise (“Retirees get very few honey-dipped coeds waiting in the wings for them!”) that Murphy wasn’t given much of a chance to say anything at all. But the singer did explain that “it seems like the right thing to do. I’m 41. At a certain point, I think it gets embarrassing.” When asked about his future plans, the singer deadpanned that he really likes making coffee and, more seriously, pointed out that he still has a label to run.
Personally, I’m hoping Murphy is retiring to pursue his long held dream of competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship—“I still wanna fight!” he told me four years ago—although, alas, he may now be too long in the tooth for that as well.
What do you think about Murphy’s retiring of the LCD Soundsystem name? Are you going to the Madison Square Garden show or one of their other farewell concerts? Let us know!
More from EW.com:
LCD Soundsystem’s New York show in April will be their last
LCD Soundsystem get hazed in ‘Drunk Girls’ video
Will be going to there last show at MSG. I’m sure it’ll be amazing!
How did you get tickets? Weren’t they all bought up by scalpers in like 20 seconds?
Pre-sales
In the nose bleeds at the Garden…looking forward to it.
Why does he need to retire because he’s 41?? He’s a musician, not a professional athelete. Only in the music business would an artist be considered too old to create.
Yes! I thought the same thing. Maybe he just wants to move on…
like Cher…he’ll be back!
Unable to attend the shows, but I hope he continues to produce other artists.
he will be back, regrouped as LED Soundsystem
Has anyone ever seen LCD Soundsystem at a large venue? Its freaking terrible!!! They are not an arena band, theyre a small theatre NYC hipster band not deserving of a larger stage. I saw them at Coachella it was EMBARASSING. A bunch of nerdy pasty white dudes jumping around over-excited and self-serious, horrendous. Records are good and small venues they are entertaining but they get swallowed on large stages
I agree, some bands are just not arena bands. But out of curiosity what do you mean by “NYC hipster band” ? I’m not trying be condescending, just wondering.
*to
I am bummed that he / LCD is retiring. Saw them at the Virgin Fest in MD this summer and it was a great show. I hope that James will continue to make music himself, maybe trying a solo career?
I think it is a shame that they are ending. They are a great live band, and they make great albums! I saw them at Lollapoloza as a headliner…I think it was 4 years ago, and thought it was great. Also saw them this last summer as headliner at Pitchforkfest in Chicago, and at the Aragon Ballroom, and both shows were fantastic! I can understand if he just wants to end it after spending 9 years of climbing the ladder, and that they now have the ability to end on a high note and sell out MSG. Like he said, he is 41 and probably does not want to be on tour and deal with all the unfortunate negative things that bands have to deal with while on tour. Just wish it was not happening. Was looking forward to hearing a follow up to their last album, which I thought was Perfect! Either way I wish James and the rest of the group the best and would like to thank them for all the great music! Wish I could be at the final show:(
I have hopes he won’t retire for long. He doesn’t seem self-conscious enough for it, and he clearly loves music too much.
Saw them in detroit for $30, was a great show in a small venue. I am 46 yrs old and I can’t believe he thinks he is embarssed at 41. If you love something do it till you die, even if nobody listens, don’t be so selfconcious.
I saw them open for Arcade Fire at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago…true, I was up towards the stage…wow. Awesome show. I was dismayed he felt it’s embarrassing to be making music at 41. Both PJ Harvey and Radiohead have new releases at that age. Touring’s tough & moving on is understandable, but hearing him say that it’s embarrassing at 41 was disappointing. I agree with Frankied.