The last time the imperious New York dance punks LCD Soundsystem were in Scotland, it was in a scenario unbecoming of a band of their stature. I watched in disbelief as they headlined the second stage at T in the Park to a mostly-empty field, with no more than a couple of hundred people in attendance. That would have been fine if we were in a sweaty basement club, but the reality was this was a stage that could have accommodated thousands, and only a handful turned up. They were superb, of course, but even they acknowledged that it was a weird, slightly embarrassing experience for everyone involved.

Next week, normal service is restored. The band, led by arch-hipster James Murphy, return to the Barrowlands after seven years away. Their last time in Glasgow was a two-night stint in the East End in April 2010; a lot has happened in those intervening years. In 2011, the band played their last ever gig to 25,000 people at Madison Square Garden. Murphy opened a wine bar in Brooklyn, made some films, worked with David Bowie, and eventually got the band back together after seeking the great man’s advice. Their comeback album – the quite outstanding American Dream, which went to number one in the States at the weekend – is a virtuoso record: full of squelching beats, exhilarating melodies, and Murphy’s trademark lyrical self-awareness. Tonite is a six-minute groove underpinned by an acid house synth line and Call the Police has vintage LCD vibes in its propulsive chaos, while Other Voices has deep house bleeps, a relentlessly groovy bassline and fat bass synth tones that will surely make the Barras ceiling shake. They are relentlessly good, and it’s good to have them back.

To get you in the mood for these gigs – not that anyone with a ticket will need geeing up – the Barras Art and Design Centre is throwing a free dance punk party starting at 4pm on both nights, with music from and inspired by the band.

· LCD Soundystem Pre Party, Tuesday & Wednesday, BAaD, 4pm – 11pm, free

· LCD Soundsystem, Tuesday & Wednesday, Barrowlands, 8pm – 11pm, sold out

Dubfire

On the face of it, the Iranian-American techno don Dubfire and the cartoonish EDM producer David Guetta make strange bedfellows. But in an interview for a forthcoming Dubfire documentary, the roots of their unlikely friendship are laid bare. After collaborating on a remix swap back in 2004, the two have remained close chums: a welcome reminder in these divided times that kinship can exist and even flourish across the barricades. Dubfire kicks off a riotous weekend at the Subbie tonight with a full-on four-hour set. Just don’t expect any Guetta tunes, mind you. The following night it’s underground techno at Animal Farm, with UK icon Function, one of the main men behind the Sandwell District collective, the guest.

Saturday sees the legendary Derrick Carter, one of the best underground house DJs ever to graced the planet, at Subculture with residents Harri and Dom, and on Sunday local promoters Show have the revered Detroit producer Mark Kinchen (MK) and rising Glaswegian house star KC Lights in for a school night session.

· Dubfire, tonight, Sub Club, 11pm – 3am, £13

· Animal Farm with Function, tomorrow, Sub Club, 11pm – 3am, £12/£15

· Subculture with Derrick Carter, Saturday, Sub Club, 11pm – 4am, £12

· Show with MK, Sunday, Sub Club, 11pm – 3am, £15

Gatecrasher Scotland

Back in the ‘90s, when times were good, Gatecrasher was one of the country’s most iconic clubs. Ravers travelled from across the country to spend the night at the Sheffield trance institution, described by Thump as “Yorkshire’s answer to the Ministry of Sound.” Around 25,000 people descended its warehouse to see in the new millennium, and its parties were broadcast live on Radio 1. It was a pretty big deal. After a devastating fire in 2007 the club’s popularity waned, its license was revoked, and a block of flats was opened on its site this time last year. It is, in many ways, a perfect metaphor for the way club culture seems to be heading across the country.

The club’s legacy lives on, though, in its events around the country. Saturday’s extravaganza at SWG3 has the Italian trance veteran Mauro Picotto headlining, with Irish “Pure Trance” figurehead Solarstone and Birmingham stalwart Scott Bond for good measure.

Meanwhile, in the TV studio, Run the World celebrates the greatest females in modern R&B and hip-hop, with tunes from Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and a whole lot more. And on Wednesday, poetry zine Slam launches its latest issue with an appropriately businesslike office party. JHM brings the “cold beautiful molten techno,” while dress code clearly states business casual. I hear Dave from Accounts can't make it, so it’s probably going to be a lot of fun.

· Gatecrasher Scotland, Saturday, SWG3, 6pm – 2am, £24.50

· Run the World, Saturday, SWG3 TV Studio, 10pm – 2am, £10

· Spam Office Party, Wednesday, The Poetry Club, 9pm – 2am, £3/£5