I only really started listening to the Arcade Fire after they came at the end of feb in 2005 and I missed their 3 shows at the end of April because of finals. They were introduced to me by Paw who saw them open for Hawksley Workman a while back. She sent me the song "Headlights look like Diamonds"...and thought this is not bad. but ehh...lets see what else they have :)
So fastforward to two years later. ZOMG they're playing 5 shows in feb...and didn't get any tickets because they were playing at a tiny venue called the Ukrainian Federation. People lined up all night in the cold to get their hands on those cardboardy tickets and savour the sound of this band for about 1 and a half hours. I decided it was my turn...and the next time they came I would not miss it! And so today...I finally got to see them.
They played at Arena Maurice Richard...never been there before. In fact, I don't usually trek out to Viau. East side of Montreal is like unknown territory to me. I've been there before, but I don't hang out there. I have only been to Point Perdue (Pointe-aux-Trembles) once. So, Paw and I arrive at 4:15 pm. Doors open at 6:30. We're searching for these epic long Arcade Fire fan lines...and WHAT? we're one of the first ones there. There was a small group of people who did camp out overnight, or so I assume...because they had blankets and themoses n such...oh, I felt bad for them :P. While waiting in line we ate apples and crackers. Paw's most awesome for providing snack food. I also ran into my grade 8 Math teacher.
Fastforward once more...we get awesome seats. Off the side to the left first row. Seats are great in arena shows because you can go potty without losing your spot. The show started at 8...opening band was called the St Vincents. Actually, it just started off with the vocalist singing by herself with an electric guitar. It sounded very gritty and almost industrial. Her dress was a nice shade of blue, but looked like a potato bag with straps.
When the band came on, the sound changed slightly to some form of dancy rock indie something music which was just plain awesome. I picked up their EP and hope to hear more from this texan band.
The floor started getting really packed, tons of people cheering, hopping around in anticipation for the band to come on.
At about 9:00, they took the stage...all 9 or so of them. The stage had 6 long poles in the front and 4 circles screens on posts on each corner of the stage. I found out later that the 6 long poles were giant glowsticks. There was also a large screen in the background...and a pipe organ.
The following is an approximate setlist...I know the first 6 are absolutely right and the last 3 as well as the encore. It's the shady in between...
Keep the Car Running
No Cars Go - this song is awesome if only for the line "between the click of the light and the start of the dream". Regine's voice goes up high and cute. So sweet :)
Haiti - *happy jumping ensues* This is a great dancy song. Regine always goes crazy near the middle doing somewhat robotic movements. Then at the end, the band goes crazy.
After the song she said that 1$ from each ticket is going to a charity, and that there were many branches of that charity in haiti.
Black Waves/Bad Vibrations - initially I wasn't super fond of this song...and never heard it in its entirety. Big booboo. But now I have and I've learned the error of my ways. This song rocks, nuff said.
Neighborhood #2 (Laika) - I wasn't expecting this song, and boy am I happy they did it. The highlight has to be Win's brother going off to the side and banging one of the posts with his drumstick like a madman.
Intervention - "I don't think the arena is gonna let rock bands play here anymore...but we took it while we saw an opening". Then they started playing. Good stuff once again.
Ocean of Noise - a little quieter than the rest but very nice...joined in the ooo's
My Body is a Cage - such a dramatic song. you cannot beat the doom and power of the organ in this song.
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)- One of my favorite of the night..absolutely love this song. I generally sang along to the songs in the concert, but this one was particularly fun to sing to, especially this part " Then we think of our parents, well what the hell ever happened to them?!"
Antichrist Television Blues- Regine went kinda nuts again with her tambourine , shouting at the crowd :)
The Well and the Lighthouse - nice ending. reminds me of old school dances from like the 60s :P
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) - "Thank you for coming out. I've always thought montreal was a very (something along the lines of nice and curteous forgot the exact words) city." Then they burst into song, the crowd goes wild dancing like crazy monkeys. They even did a prolonged ending.
Rebellion (Lies) - This gave me shivers of happiness. Everyone was clapping and singing along. When the band walked off, everyone in the crowd was still singing "Oooo ooo ooooooooo" until they came back out.
Encore
Black Mirror - I like this song, but the sound was a little strange for it. A little hard on the ears. But still very good.
Crown of Love - someone in the crowd had a sign saying "Crown of Love". Win's like, change of plans. Someone made a sign and I'm a sucker for signs, so we're gonna play this song. Lighter moment.
Wake up - just before playing this song, someone in the front had a sign saying I need a drumstick. They held it up for the whole time too. Win was like AHH YOU IN THE FRONT! PUT DOWN THE FUCKING SIGN! I'll give you a drumstick, just put it down! stop it!
Anyways, wake up is an epic ending for a concert. Naturally, everyone was into it :)
I don't know if I can say anything else about the concert. I just kept saying how great everything was. It's great dance music! Great music to forget your troubles! Or to just scream it out!
As I was on my way home, I spotted two concert goers. They were twin brothers, both wearing arcade fire tee's. As the got off at Vendome, the yelled into the car "ARCADE FIRE IS AWESOME!" and a passenger nodded. I couldn't agree more.
