I love documentaries and I love LCD Soundsystem even more, so
Shut Up and Play the Hits is my idea of the perfect film.
On Tuesday night, FACT hosted the film's UK premiere with a live
satellite Q&A from LCD Soundsystem frontman, bandleader and
record label owner James Murphy. Through the magic of Skype and
Google Hangouts we were also joined by various New York based
members of the band and their British manager Keith Wood alongside
the filmmakers and James.
The film documents LCD's last ever gig at New York's Madison
Square Garden in 2011. The 36,400 tickets for the final concerts
were snapped up in seconds with tickets changing hands on eBay for
thousands of dollars.
British filmmakers Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern get in amongst
the action with cameras surrounding the band and the 18,200 strong
crowd, managing to capture the excitement, happiness, tears and
love for the band James Murphy described as an 'accident' that
turned into an 'unstoppable train'.
The slightly drunken Q&A took in topics as diverse as
Australian coffee makers, James' music heroes, over excited
Brighton audiences and the "mad men" at Glasgow's Barrowlands
venue. Asked about what the future holds and whether his future
lies in "performing, directing, producing or writing", James
replied "well, I like making coffee". He went on to explain
that he will be "incredibly surprised" if he doesn't end up making
music again with members of LCD Soundsytem but on the when, where,
and replied "I've got no idea".
James Murphy bragged that they were 'the cheapest, most low
budget' show that has ever been filmed at Madison Square Garden,
and the only show at the venue to have their own $25 cardboard
spaceships. He talked about being a reluctant rockstar and deciding
to quit before he became too famous to 'take the subway, go out to
get coffee or just be a normal person'.
Shut Up and Play the Hits features 12 of the bands best
songs, with guest appearances from Arcade Fire, Aziz Ansari, Donald
Glover, Reggie Watts and James Murphy's younger brother Tom.
If you missed the screening on Tuesday, make sure you book your tickets for a repeat showing (without Q&A) this Friday 7 September. Get your tickets online, in person at the Box Office, or by calling 0871 902 5737.

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