[kj] (OT) Arcade Fire Live

[Jiri]

Nice report, T.B. I fully agree. Live, they really hit the mark, their 
music just comes to life where it all makes sense. I was also lukewarm 
on Neon Bible, but after seeing some live clips on YouTube, I knew I had 
to check them out if I got the chance. Very thrilled that I did, in 
Chicago. I had heard that they were getting a lot of hype leading up to 
Neon Bible (though it's funny how if you can insulate yourself from the 
hype machines, ignorance is bliss!). Catching them was one of the most 
refreshing musical experiences I've had in the last 10 years.

Jiri

T.B. wrote:

> On a last minute whim, I picked up a 16th row seat off an eBay seller 

> for The Arcade Fire at the Greek Theatre in the Hollywood Hills for 

> last night's show. I wasn't too sure if I'd like the band or not as I 

> haven't been able to get into their new album "Neon Bible" and my only 

> real exposure to them has been their song "Wake Up" which was the 

> intro music for U2's last tour. But wft, I was in the mood for 

> something different.

>

> As it turned out, the show was a revelation. By the third song I was 

> hooked and it turned out to be an excellent concert.  The band has at 

> least 10 members and often some members switch positions, the girl 

> (who's the wife of the frontman) who also sings lead on a few songs 

> also played drums for a few tunes while the regular drummer played 

> guitar. Basically between all the members, just about every musical 

> instrument you can imagine was utilized at some point from accordion 

> to cello to bullhorn to French Horn. The band really has a unique 

> sound that at times made me think of bands like Big Country, ELO and 

> Clannad.

>

> They played about 3/4ths of the songs off the Neon Bible album along 

> with a couple off the first album including a great version of 

> "Tunnels." The concert got off to a somewhat tentative start with 

> opener "Black Mirror," however once the band launched into some of 

> their more up tempo tunes, the crowd got into it. Also as I'd guess 

> the poor soundman had his hands full trying to get a decent mix from 

> all the various instruments the first few minutes of the show as there 

> was some minor feedback and it was tough hearing the vocals through 

> the mix at first  Overall, the songs come off far better live than on 

> their studio albums. Although the show was barely 90 minutes long, it 

> still was a very satisfying set. As expected, "Wake Up" ended the set. 

> I think a lot of people attended the show in much the same mindset as 

> me, basically knowing this band is on the cusp of really hitting it 

> big and wondering if they are really capable of delivering the goods - 

> they are.

>

> Many times through their set, the band was really firing on all 

> cylinders and the joyous energy coming from the music and the 

> musicians was simply infectious. The biggest payoff though was I 

> listened to Neon Bible on the drive home and it's as if I now "get it."

>

> I'm really glad I went.

>

> T.B.

>

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