James Murphy is a perfectionist. Everyone knows that. If a snare drum doesn't snap exactly like a 1982 post-punk B-side, he’ll probably spend three hours fixing it while the rest of the band drinks wine. This obsessive energy is exactly why LCD Soundsystem Los Angeles shows have become something of a holy pilgrimage for people who like to dance while feeling slightly existential.
It’s been a wild ride lately.
Most fans remember the 2017 Palladium run, but the 2024 residency was different. It felt heavier. More earned. They split eight nights between the Shrine Expo Hall and the Hollywood Palladium, basically colonizing LA for two weeks. Then came the 2025 Hollywood Bowl takeover with Pulp, which, honestly, felt like a fever dream for anyone who owned a slim-fit blazer in 2005.
The 2024 Residency: A Tale of Two Venues
The 2024 LCD Soundsystem Los Angeles run wasn’t just a series of concerts. It was a hostile takeover of the city's nightlife.
First, they hit the Shrine Expo Hall from October 31 to November 3. Opening on Halloween? Classic Murphy. The Shrine is cavernous, kinda sweaty, and perfect for the "big room" energy of tracks like "Get Innocuous!" or the distorted growl of "Movement."
Then, they shifted gears.
From November 7 to 10, the band moved into the Hollywood Palladium. This is a ballroom with history. It’s got that curved ceiling and a floor that literally bounces when everyone hits the drop in "Dance Yrself Clean." Seeing them there feels more intimate, like a very expensive, very loud house party.
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- Shrine Expo Hall: Industrial, raw, massive.
- Hollywood Palladium: Art Deco vibes, bouncing floors, "hometown" feel.
The setlists across these nights were a masterclass in pacing. They didn’t just play the hits and leave. They dug deep. We got "X-Ray Eyes"—the first real taste of the new era—mixed with the cowbell-heavy "new body rhumba."
Why Los Angeles Gets the "New York" Treatment
It’s no secret that LCD is a New York band. They are the sound of a specific kind of Brooklyn warehouse nostalgia. But Los Angeles has become their second home.
Why? Because LA fans are just as obsessed with the "correct" gear and the "correct" influences as Murphy is. In the crowd, you’ll see 22-year-olds who just discovered Sound of Silver on TikTok standing next to 50-year-olds who actually saw the band at The Echo in 2003.
The Hollywood Bowl Moment (2025)
If the 2024 residency was for the die-hards, the 2025 Hollywood Bowl shows were the victory lap. Sharing the stage with Pulp was a stroke of genius. It was a "Britpop meets Brooklyn" collision that shouldn't have worked but absolutely did.
They played "Pow Pow" for the first time since 2010 at the Bowl. Think about that. A song that’s basically a rhythmic lecture on cool, delivered to 17,000 people under the stars. They even threw in a cover of "Fascist Groove Thang."
It was loud. It was pretentious in the best way possible. It was perfect.
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The Setlist Science: What You Actually Hear
If you’re going to an LCD Soundsystem Los Angeles show, you better have stamina. James doesn't do short sets.
Usually, they open with something moody. "Oh Baby" is a frequent starter, setting a synth-heavy, melancholic tone. But then the transition happens. By the time they hit "Tribulations," the room is a mess of flailing limbs.
There are certain "rules" to an LCD show:
- Someone Great will make at least three people in your immediate vicinity cry.
- Losing My Edge will make you feel self-conscious about your record collection.
- All My Friends will always, 100% of the time, be the closer.
During the 2025 run, they started leaning into "X-Ray Eyes" more heavily. It’s techy, minimal, and has a proto-Detroit beat that feels like a "return to form" for the band. It’s the first single of what Murphy has confirmed is a "shaping up" new album. No, there’s no release date. Don't ask. He’ll finish it when he finishes it.
Is LCD Soundsystem Still "Cool"?
There was a weird article in Slate recently asking if the band has become "cringe."
The argument is that they’ve become a "legacy act" for people who like natural wine and expensive loafers. And yeah, Murphy literally opened a pop-up for his wine bar, The Four Horsemen, at recent shows.
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But honestly? Who cares?
The music still hits. When the lights go down and that disco ball starts spinning—the massive one they bring to every show—the "coolness" factor doesn't matter. You’re hearing a nine-piece band play everything live with analog synths and real percussion. In an era of backing tracks and "press play" performances, that’s rare.
What’s Next for the Band?
2026 is looking busy. They’ve already announced residencies in Chicago and Aspen.
Rumors of the "New Album" are reaching a breaking point. Murphy told fans during the NYC Knockdown Center run that it’s getting "closer and closer to completion." The 2024/2025 Los Angeles dates felt like a testing ground for that new material.
If you missed the recent LA shows, you’ve basically got to wait for the next festival cycle or the inevitable album tour. Keep an eye on the Hollywood Bowl or the Palladium. They always come back.
Tips for Your Next Show:
- Arrive early. The merch lines are legendary and the limited-edition 12-inch singles (like the "X-Ray Eyes" white label) sell out in minutes.
- Wear earplugs. James likes it loud. Specifically, he likes the low-end to rattle your ribcage.
- Don't film the whole thing. Murphy has been known to get annoyed with a sea of glowing screens. Just dance.
The era of LCD Soundsystem Los Angeles residencies has proven that the band isn't just a nostalgia trip. They are evolving into a live juggernaut that manages to make 10-minute synth loops feel like the most urgent thing in the world. Whether it's the sweaty floor of the Palladium or the prestige of the Bowl, the message is the same: shut up and play the hits.
For those looking to catch the next wave, keep your eyes on the official DFA Records channels. The gap between the 2024 residency and the 2025 Bowl shows was short, suggesting that the band is currently in a high-output phase. If the new LP drops in late 2026 as rumored, Los Angeles will undoubtedly be one of the first stops on the world tour.