Re:SET Concert Series Launches With LCD Soundsystem, Boygenius And Steve Lacy

With the summer music season unofficially underway, including upcoming festivals such as Governors Ball, Riot Fest, Bonnaroo and Bumbershoot, a new concert experience is making its debut starting this Friday—featuring headliners LCD Soundsystem, boygenius (the indie rock supergroup of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus) and Steve Lacy.

Called Re:SET, a new outdoor concert series mounted by AEG Presents, will take place on four weekends this month in 12 cities spanning four U.S. regions. Per the Re:SET site: “Each weekend will see three cities in the same region hosting, with each Re:SET headliner playing each city on consecutive days.”

The concept behind Re:SET started during the pandemic, according to Rich Holtzman, AEG Presents senior vice president, global touring, who wrote in an email: “We were challenged with finding new ways to tour. New experiences for fans. We all know the festival circuit works. We know that millions of fans love to go and spend a weekend seeing as many bands as possible, but we also know that artists and fans don’t all want the same thing.

“So we came up with [an] idea that would allow for a more relaxed atmosphere,” he continued. “Smaller, curated bills with one stage, space in between the bands to hang with friends, grab a taco and a beer, and just enjoy the time in a great setting. Artists get a different experience as well with no concerns of competing schedules and getting to play alongside the artists they chose.”

Additionally, the headliners have curated the lineup for their performance days. For instance, the support acts for LCD Soundsystem include Jamie xx, IDLES, Big Freedia, L’Rain and more. Sharing the stage for boygenius’ performances will be Clairo, Dijon and Bartees Strange. And the scheduled opening acts for Steve Lacy are James Blake, Toro Y Moi and Fousheé.

“We came about our headliners but first and foremost being big fans,” said Holtzman on choosing LCD Soundstyem, boygenius and Steve Lacy to inaugurate the series. “We picked talent based on what we wanted to see, what we thought would make for a great day, and ultimately who would help us put together a complete lineup. I think the diversity of the artists reflects what people and artists want to see. We all listen to different types of music. No reason that can’t be reflected in the lineup.”

Re:SET will also have food and drinks from local businesses “that reflect the character and community of each town,” according to a press release. The concert series is also partnering with digital marketing platform Propeller on a social impact initiative to support the National Resources Defense Council and local charities.

As for expectations, “we hope everyone walks away with a simple experience,” Holtzman said. “Great music, good food and a relaxed atmosphere. Full sets from their favorite artists and a curated bill that makes for a great evening. We really hope that artists get that feedback from the audience. We all know that artists feed off their audiences so we hope to create an atmosphere where they are excited and engaged and we feel the rest will follow.”

And on whether Re:SET will be an ongoing occasion after this year’s edition, Holtzman said that it will be up to the fans and the artists: “If they have a great time and it makes for a rewarding evening, then we surely want to continue forward.”

Re:SET begins Friday with LCD Soundsystem at Frost Amphitheatre in Stanford, California. For more information, click here.