Oh is this the way they say the future's meant to feel?

Last night, I saw Daft Punk perform at Keyspan Park on Coney Island, under an overcast-but-cooperative sky. Amusement-park rides blinked in the background, as though they were trying to take in their highly evolved robot brethren. Holy shit, was it amazing. I assume it's about as close to a religious experience as I'm going to get these days. The light show was better than any fireworks display I've witnessed (and longer: the show lasted about 90 minutes). The sound was amazing for an outdoor venue. Even the crowd was fantastic and ridiculously into it: unabashed joy often has an almost Pavlovian affect on my sneering, but I couldn't help but be taken by the communal, fanatical love for house that swept through the venue. It felt so ravey, I wanted hump somebody or suck on a pacifier or something.

The set was ridiculously amazing, covering every big Daft Punk hit (including side-project Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You," which was mashed up with "One More Time" during the encore) -- the only well-known track that wasn't played was, weirdly, "Digital Love." A few of the tracks were mashed up into each other and slicker remixes were often favored over the album originals. The whole time, the two "men" of Daft Punk stood in their light-up pyramid on stage, bobbing to the music, keeping their arms out in front of them, as if they were doing...something. What that was is anyone's guess. Mixing live? Playing records? Playing keyboards? Pushing buttons? Absolutely nothing? No matter: their auto-pilot is better than most acts' improv.

Like every other schmuck there, I took video of the night, but instead of focusing on one or two tracks, I took it throughout and cut a highlights reel together. I know it's clichéd, but I don't care: the experience was so amazing, I'm thrilled that I captured it. Below are 10 of my favorite minutes of the show. That's a long time to be watching a YouTube video, so just as a word of guidance: forward it to 2:11 (or 7:43, if you're watching it below, since the in-line player counts down) to catch about two minutes of "Around the World," not just the highlight of the night but probably of my year so far (besides meeting various Celebreality people like Schatar). The swirling rainbow lights definitely made up for the fact that I didn't catch any gay-pride festivities this year.

One more note: I just downloaded a new video-editing program and I'm having fun with it -- I kinda went crazy with the wipes. (Stars! Diamonds! If only there were purple horseshoes!) In that respect, I guess, learning how to put together a video is like learning how to use the potty.

(Download)

Comments

[Daniel]

I was bitter I missed their gig here last month. Now I'm REALLY bitter. Glad you had fun, though!

[Sunny Bunny]

I'm a huge fan of Daft Punk, but I keep hearing a bout how amazing and revelatory their live show is and I'm sort of confused by it. It just looks like a fancy lightshow to me :| Maybe it's something you have to experience firsthand...

[Abbie]

The show last night was amazing!!! I only know a few of their songs and wasn't expecting much, but it demolished my expectations. The best time that i've had at a show all year, maybe ever!

[kelly]

great video! sounds good despite how absurdly loud it was there! the show was definitely the best of the summer. and dudes may just look like they're standing there, but the lightshow is so well worth it. it built up, had an ebb and flow, and went bananas at times...told a story.

[The NB]

Looks awesome. Still, at the beginning of "Around the World," you can hear some douche bag say, "Oh, I know this song!" Nothing like a NY audience - there to be seen rather than to see.

[Lara]

Oh man, that looks like SO.MUCH.FUN.

I'm jealous.

[Nic]

I saw Daft Punk two weeks ago in Denver. Amazing show. Great video. I can't imagine anything could top the show.

[trevor]

so. JEALOUS.

[Dan]

star wipes!

i'm glad you guys came. i know you were on the fence for a bit.

i'm still completely worn out from being on the field. despite one douchebag with a mets cap that just stood stock still next to me, yawning, everyone had looks of pure joyous joy on their faces. and that one dude i just elbowed harder while i was dancing.

[mim]

I was finally blessed with seeing them last Sunday in Toronto(ish). It was amazing!!! Freaking amazing, even the less than par acoustics for the venue counldn't tarnish what a great night it was:)

[Gabe]

Re: the new editing program

Homer Simpson is a huuuge fan of the 'star wipe' transition, so keep that in mind when you're making home videos of Winston.

[blah]

really the cellphone cameras and digital cameras thing at concerts is getting super annoying. take a couple pics, record a bit of video, but put your damn hand down and turn the freaking display off. when i saw bjork a couple months back these two hipster dorks watched the entire show behind their glowing cellphone camera displays and i wanted to beat the shit out of them because all i could see was their glowing lights. it's especially annoying when it's a dark show. i'm making a tshirt with this whole statement on it and wearing it to every show i go to. seriously, so fucking annoying.

[MikeP]

Hey Rich, first time commenting here. I frequently visit your site simply to read your awesome ANTM recaps. But this post prompted a comment from me, because I LOVE Daft Punk! And I'm pissed I didn't know they were playing in Coney Island, being that I'm a Jersey native myself. Thanks for the video. Later.

[BigPikchur]

That looked like a total blast! (and the two men slightly resembled BLUE MAN GROUP.... good times)

Jules
bigpikchur.blogspot.com

[doris]

ROBOTS!!!!
i've seen the show twice now, and i STILL get all choked up and misty-eyed every time i watch youtube clips. or listen to the coachella recording. i need help. but it makes me so happy i want to shit unicorns that they're blowing minds across the world.
vegoose, anyone?

[Daniel]

Totally agree with the cell-phone-displays-at-shows-are-totally-fucking-annoying post.

[Daniel]

And you really have to see Muse live. THAT'S a fucking show.

[Julia]

We love Daft Punk in our house, our 6 year old included, he has danced with glee at One More Time, since he was a toddler!
thanks for the video!
Julie

[whitemana]

OMG! I just saw them in Montreal Tuesday, and I thought I wish Rich was here so he could write about it!

I was a bit annoyed by all the people recording clips during the show, but the next morning I was actually greatful because I could relive some of that greatness on YouTube.

Seriously, it was awesome. No pointless costumes changes, moving backgrounds, audience chit-chat or rabid pack of background dancers: just great beats and crazy lights!

[marina]

Oh my gosh, Daft Punk is love ...

[regan]

DUDE! i saw them in toronto last weekend. completely fucking blew my mind, and not just because i dropped e for the first time. seriously!
i wish i could experience that every day.

[Jesse Yarbrough]

Awesome! Thanks so much Rich for helping me re-live last night! It all seems like a dream. And yes, DP is outrageously generous with the rainbows and triangles. Okay, I have to go before I start crying.

[KrisTina]

I'm so envious, I've been dying to get to a concert of theirs just because of the rave reviews... but alas, I guess your footage will do, I can only imagine.
First the Schappell twins, now this? Luckyyy.

[bobeotm]

I am so envious, and so glad someone else gets as uncontrollably giddy about daft punk as I do.

[finding the filth]

goddammit i am so mad with jealousy!!! i've been dying to see them play for 10 years now and i always manage to miss them. you are too lucky.

thanks for the highlight reel. it's salt on my wounds. i may have to hate you for a week.