My expectations for this gig were stratospheric - both bands produced albums last year that made my top 10 list - and Arcade Fire have been on my list of must-see bands since I heard Funeral for the first time and fell in love. That's a lot of years of pent-up anticipation, plus they have a great reputation as a live band, so I was resigned to either being disappointed, or just satisfied. But do you know what? THEY BLEW ME AWAY. Last night's concert has gone straight into being one of the top two gigs I've ever seen in my life, for amazing musicality, exuberance, enjoyability and the utter satisfaction of knowing that everything you've ever dreamed about a concert experience has pretty much materialised before your eyes.
Spoon came out dressed in requisite hipster musician wear - black shirts, black jeans - except for the keyboardist, who seemed majorly dressed down in flannies in comparison. Britt Daniel is strangely magnetic on stage - Kevin admired him for "having style" - he really threw himself into playing and singing, and pulls the performance together. It was a very solid set, amazing for a support slot, and they played for around a hour, fifteen songs all up, the bulk from latest album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. It was a shame that the audience at this point wasn't very responsive, but Spoon still gave it their all, and were well worth seeing.
We watched in wonder as the roadies tried as quickly as they could to clear the stage and put out the gazillion instruments that Arcade Fire need, including odd and amazing things like a twelve-string guitar, a hurdy-gurdy, a silver/gold double bass, a small pipe organ, and an accordion. When the band finally came out, at least seven members lined up along the front of the stage, instruments at the ready, and launched into the glorious Wake Up; and from the first word, the adoring audience sang along strongly, and it was amazing, hearing one of my favourite songs played live while watching the interplay of musicians and instruments (Regine played the hurdy-gurdy!) and their captivated audience.
After a few very well-received songs from their first album, Funeral, they took a dip into their early EP for I'm Sleeping in a Submarine to lead into a slightly more sombre but still wonderful section of Neon Bible songs. The dark undertone to the seemingly sweet sounding Black Wave merged into the more ominous Bad Vibrations, the grandeur of My Body is a Cage with the crashing organ chords, the protest of Windowsill, and the lovely interchange from the racing pace into the slower, prettier end of The Well and the Lighthouse, all these were fantastic in live performance. I think the ultimate highlight though, in a night full of amazing musical moments, was the back-to-back pair of Power Out and Rebellion (Lies). It was a beautiful, wonderful, all dancing and singing affair to end the main set, and even as the band left the stage, Richard and Will each carried off a megaphone, singing the outro refrain and keeping the audience echoing them as the stage lights dimmed.
The encore began with, to be absolute delight, No Cars Go. It was awesome to hear it live, to see it performed beautifully and with so much energy. That was followed by a really fun performance of Haiti, sweet and sexy at the same time, after which the band looked like they were really done for the night, saying their goodbyes and basking in the thunderous applause. However, as the light stayed dim, the audience cheers rose until the band trickled back on stage, starting with just Win on an acoustic guitar, and followed by the rest either singing or playing the hell out of their instruments (the double bass took a real beating at this point), to do an impromptu, rocking cover of the Violent Femmes' Kiss Off.
If there were any complaints to be had, and I'm clutching at straws here, it would be that the vocals were a bit low in the mix, so sometimes it could be hard to hear Win or Regine over the rest of the music. But I don't think the exuberant atmosphere dropped at any point during the night, on stage or off. The band were obviously having a great time, and they were so playful in performance - Win had a big grin on his faces as he played to his band, whether it was Regine having her turn on the drums, or with the duo of violinists, or towards the crowd before him; Richard and Will (most out of all the band) running around the stage playing anything and everything with gusto; Regine dancing as she sang with her pretty voice, and making accordion-playing sexy; Win venturing onto the barrier twice and INTO the crowd once towards the end, while the crowd surged towards him in delight. The crowd response was amazing too, a room full of clearly loving and enthusiastic fans, who sang and yelled and clapped along, who danced and raised their hands to the music like they were caught up in an almost religious fervour. It was beautiful evening to be a part of, because it was so joyous and incredible, and it just felt perfect for the music.
Wake Up
Keep the Car Running
Black Mirror
Neighbourhood #2 (Laika)
I'm Sleeping in a Submarine
Black Wave / Bad Vibrations
My Body Is a Cage
Windowsill
The Well and the Lighthouse
Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)
Intervention
(Antichrist Television Blues)
Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
No Cars Go
Haiti
Kiss Off (video)
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