Entertainment
9 'Late Show' Bandleaders Stephen Colbert Should Consider: Daft Punk, Ben Folds & More
When it comes to late night television, Jimmy Fallon has The Roots and Seth Meyers has Fred Armisen, so: who in the world should lead the band in the Stephen Colbert era of The Late Show ? It's a valid question, what with the status of the band leader being seriously upped in terms of ante and prestige once Questlove & Co. joined Fallon over at Late Night. And that, of course, got us thinking: who would make a cool, unique, and fun musical half for a Colbert-fronted Late Show? The comedian has long made music an important part of The Colbert Report and his auditory tastes truly run the gamut. But regardless of genre, all of them have one thing in common: they're cool and hip and decidedly un-Report-ian.
With a less satirical show about to be his, Colbert has the chance to really showcase someone awesome. The question is: just who is that awesome? We've compiled a list of some of our favorite picks for who we think should lead the next great late night band.
Ben Folds
The rapport between Colbert and Folds is pretty great. Lovers of big musical moments both, we imagine there’d be plenty of fireworks (and funnies!) if these two got together.
Janelle Monae
We love Janelle Monae, you (if you know what’s good for you) love Janelle Monae, EVERYONE loves Janelle Monae. And her fiery ferocity would no doubt make her the peppiest and most exciting bandleader on the late night scene.
Vampire Weekend
As frequent guests on the good ship StePhest Colbchella, the New York-based band are friends of Colbert Nation and would be a delightfully fun addition to the late night scene.
St. Vincent
I have no idea if the artist formally known as Annie Clark would be down for such a run-of-the-mill gig but goddamn if the pairing wouldn’t be musical magic.
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem
WHAT WE WOULD GIVE, you guys. What we would give.
Garfunkel and Oats
Hilarious, musical comedy ladies that can sing, and act, and generally play on the same dexterous level as Colbert? SIGN US UP, AMERICA.
Childish Gambino
This one is purely selfish. We miss you/want you/need you back on our TV screens, Donald Glover!
Hugh Laurie
THESE TWO. These two. Oh they’re so magical together. And Laurie is focusing on his music at the moment: could this union be written in the stars?
