Hot Chip Lead Outdoor Rave-Up in New York's Central Park

Hot Chip were down one member during their Wednesday night set at New York's Central Park, but the band didn't miss a sweat-soaked beat. Guitarist Al Doyle informed the crowd that vocalist/synth player Joe Goddard was with his wife, who was expecting the couple's first child. However, the father-to-be was still able to make an appearance during the show. Goddard's face filled up a television screen placed in the middle of the stage and he sang the vocals to 'One Pure Thought' in a video recorded prior to his paternity leave.

Earlier in the night, supporting acts and DFA labelmates Holy Ghost! and Hercules and Love Affair set the mood with their feel-good nu-disco while the sun was still hanging overhead. Hercules frontman Andrew Butler announced, "It's not exactly night time, but it don't matter! We still expect you to dance." The club-ready outfit proceeded to hype up fans by bringing out back-up dancers in wife beaters and throwing swag out into the audience.

Hot Chip's show was an exuberant affair, and the UK electro-pop act packed the performance with many of their memorable hits. Opening with 'Boy From School,' the London-based band powered through tracks including 'One Life Stand,' 'We Have Love' and 'Over and Over.' Through the course of the night, the group members shed layers of clothing, with Doyle spending much of the concert playing his instruments without a shirt. He later apologized for his hoarse vocals, joking, "I sound like a crap version of early '80s Leonard Cohen." But it was unlikely Cohen ever got a throng of New Yorkers to boogie so hard.

During the encore, singer Alexis Taylor again paid tribute to their missing bandmate and Hot Chip closed their outdoor concert with a joyous rendition of 'Ready for the Floor.' When the stage lights flashed at the audience, the performers were greeted with a sea of shaking fists, arms, legs and hips.