2ManyDJs 'angry' at LCD Soundsystem split - because they were so good

Belgian dance heroes discuss Despacio partner

15:47 18th November 2013

2ManyDJs and Soulwax member Stephen Dewaele has spoken out about how 'angry' he was when James Murphy decided to break up LCD Soundsystem - but later realised it was for the best.

2ManyDJs and Murphy have teamed up for Despacio to create their own ultra high-quality soundsystem and unique 'life-changing' disco experience. The Despacio night will be in London for a three night residency at Hammersmith Town Hall next month.

Speaking to Gigwise about their long friendship and working relationship with Murphy, Stephen said: "Our history with James is a bit different to a lot of other people. The first LCD gigs that they did we were 2ManyDJs because we were always booked together. We were already friends, and for years we've been DJing with James a lot.'"

He continued: "Dave and me DJed at the after party for the last gig at Madison Square Garden. We're big LCD fans but we're a little bit more privileged because we've seen all these gigs from the beginning and seen them progress. At the last show, I got really angry with them because I thought that they were so good. I just said 'come on - this is the beginning, this is where you should go from here'. Then a month later, we saw James again and my friend was really happy. He was glowing and able to enjoy himself. He was just smiling and saying 'I never have to fucking tour again!'

"There was a part of me inside that was like 'fuck you', and other part that was like 'I'm so jealous that you're so happy'. That's the biggest change that I've seen in James. It's all fun, which I like."

Watch the visuals for Soulwax's remix of 'You Wanted A Hit' by LCD Soundsystem below

Stephen said that the trio received 'amazing' feedback after it's residency at the Manchester International Festival this summer - with club-goers describing the sound quality and overall dance atmosphere as a 'life-changing experience'.

"The difference was that I could see they were dancing," said Stephen. "The cool thing about Despacio is that sometimes we would put some classical music on just to bring things down a little bit and people would wit then just start dancing again, giving us time to go into the audience to look at the people. People were just coming up to me and saying 'hey, I'm having such a good time'. It was just really nice. It's about us being involved with the people. The first one was completey different t the first one and the second one. We played different stuff, tried out different things and now we have our heads around it, I think that London is going to be even more special."

- Check back soon for our full Despacio interview

Despacio will be at London's Hammersmith Town Hall on Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December, 2013 - from 9pm - late. Tickets are on general sale now. For more information visit Gigwise gig tickets.

Below: Soulwax, LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire - the bands who are much better live than on record

Arcade Fire: While their latest album Reflektor split critics somewhere between an utter masterpiece and a grand folly, Win Butler and co pump a Studio 54-infused spirit of danceable energy and colour into them when they take to the stage.
Hot Chip: On record, the soft whine of vocals and damp dance-rock sounds might leave you a little cold - but as a live band, you'd struggle to have a better time than at a Hot Chip gig.
Muse: They're an obvious choice - but there's a bloody good reason for that. It's fairly fair to say that no other band on the planet puts the same supermassive amount of attention into the look, sound, and mind-blowing feel of a live show as Muse.
Flaming Lips: A great deal of their latter day work has been slammed by many as pretentious, self-indulgent and almost unlistenable - but you put Wayne Coyne and co on stage and watch them bloom into an explosion of glorious noise.
The National: Some call them flat, reserved and miserable - but live, they're a wine-fuelled storm of raw and unpolished energy. This is best shown by the dynamic shift from the vicious burst of the aptly-titled 'Squalor Victoria' to the traditional set closer of the band turning off their amps for an unplugged campfire rendition of the beautiful 'Vanderlyle Cry Baby Geeks'. Stunning stuff.
The Prodigy: They're not just for ravers. From Reading to Download Festival, The Prodigy offer something for everyone as live band - a universal soundtrack to utterly lose your shit to.
Green Day: Uno, Dos, Tre was panned by just about everyone, but anyone who caught a glimpse of their summer stadium shows or sets at Reading and Leeds can testify that with pop-punk exuberance and effortless anthemics, Green Day sure do pack a punch with their live sound and approach.
Florence + The Machine: On record, her endless warbling can test a Saint's patience - but live, you can't deny the arresting power of Florence Welch's vocal.
Prince: Vast swathes of people couldn't give the tiniest shit about anything that Prince has released in the last 15 years or - but wait until you hear His Royal Badness play it live. We guarantee one funky good time.
Jessie Ware: She's pretty flawless on record, but her magnetic personality shines through every note when Jessie Ware takes to the stage.
Miike Snow: When these guys play live, the inimitable Miike Snow sound gets a hell of a lot clubbier, as the songs take on a new life and power that you never thought imaginable.
Radiohead: Without spaceships, choreography or greatest hits, Radiohead lift the brittle skittery trip-hop sounds of their latter day work to sound as essential as all that came before when they take to the stage. Radiohead are still evolving. Radiohead still matter.
LCD Soundsytem: As a live band, the punkier edge of James Murphy's influences becomes ever more evident. Let us all join in prayer that we haven't really seen the last of them.
Elbow: Labels of being overplayed and beige are often levelled at Guy Garvey and co - but that Northern charm and sense of triumph shines through ever brighter live. Expect to see them headlining Glastonbury in years to come.
The xx: You may fear that the intimacy and sparse subtleties of The xx's sound might be lost in the live arena - but it only adds up to holding you even closer.
Soulwax: Put on your tux, lose yourself to dance, await rescue.
Manic Street Preachers: Decades of spite, resilience and pure Welsh pride come flooding out every time the Manics take to the stage. Expect insane guitar solos, bitter rants and James Dean Bradfield's fiery and relentless bellow.
Slipknot: The sheer aggression and raw insanity of Slipknot's sound can only really be measured by the amount of circle pits they inspire live.
Bjork: Whereas many artists of her standing just fly around the world, get on stage and roll out the hits, Bjork is brilliant when it comes to translating her ideas into every medium and dimension. Not only is she one of music's last few eccentrics, but she's a true perfectionist of pop.
The Hives: Dismiss The Hives as well past their sell-by date if you will, but we challenge you to be within earshot of them live without having one hell of a good time.
Bat For Lashes: Stunning as the songwriting was on her third album The Haunted Man, it was a little lacking in production. But on stage, Natasha Khan's bewitching brew of fairytale pop translates all the better on stage
Arctic Monkeys: Alex Turner's new found cocky bravado and swagger really boosts the tracks from AM and Suck It And See.
James Blake: Take a spare pair of pants. That bass is brutal.