OK guys, I'm back.
Well, what to say? I guess I'd best spread it out instead of keeping it concise, since this is the magnificent Arcade Fire we're talking about.
I really like Philadelphia, and I'm incredibly glad that I got a chance to see Arcade Fire there. The trip was reasonable (and I got a chance to crank up both Arcade Fire albums and Summerteeth in the car
), the hotel accommodations were nice, and the weather was great all things concerned. Unfortunately, long-distance traveling gets me extremely nervous and tense, and this time was no exception. I couldn't eat dinner that night, and I felt like garbage after the show was over. Keep this in mind as you read the review.
We (my mother, who happens to be a big Arcade Fire fan, and I) arrived at the theatre at 7:30, (quite early, even for me) and the place was already more filled up than I expected. Soon after dealing with the disappointment that you feel after finding out that your seats are considerably farther back than you expected, the National came on and played a fantastic set. I had never heard one of their songs before, but they truly impressed me, and I'm going to check out their albums ASAP. They were probably the best opening band I've ever seen...not that that's saying all that much.
Arcade Fire took a long time to take the stage, but when they finally did, I was ready, with camera in hand (or at least close by). They opened with Black Mirror, which, due to the distorted sound I've come to know the Tower Theater for, along with our miserable seating arrangements, was a bit disappointing. It was note-perfect and the band sounded powerful, but...eh...I don't know. I was expecting more.
Well, immediately after that, I got it.
"You paid for the f***ing ticket, so get down here", says Win. And we do. (For all of those making fun of our short setlist, I doubt that many of you got a chance to go down to the front as early as we did; song #2, bitches!
)
The band bursts into No Cars Go and the crowd lights up. My vision is blocked a bit, but the sweaty, crazy crowd was singing along to every word, and so was I. I've never heard such a tight band before, playing every note perfectly and enhancing each of them individually. The setlist wasn't great, but EVERY SINGLE SONG played last night was better than the album version. They had passion, soul, and heart that the album versions never had. I listened to Intervention this afternoon, and, after hearing it last night, all I could say was "ehh". It's not the same after last night. Nothing is.
The concert-goers nearby were all just as happy with the show. The cute blond to my left was particularly into it. Plus, there was this amusing bit of reparte:
Woman to my right: AHHHH I LOVE YOU WIN!!!
Man to my right: Hey, I bought you that ticket! I thought you loved me!
*plays Haiti or Laika, I can't remember which*
Woman: See, he's even playing my favorite song!
And I'm sure you'll all enjoy this story:
I got pulled over by the fuzz.
This guy caught me taping during Ocean of Noise and pulled me aside. I just gave him the tape and got back to the show as soon as I could. We just hung around by the edge of the stage, and our obstructed view suddenly became crystal clear (how's THAT for turning a negative into a positive?
) He ended up coming over during Power Out and gave me the tape back. Good times.
Antichrist Television Blues was played, which happens to be my least favorite on Neon Bible, but let me tell you, it IS much better live, just as people have been saying all this time. Also, another least favorite of mine, The Well And The Lighthouse, was played to perfection. It became a drunken singalong during the last verse that not even Auld Lang Syne could rival.
Now, about the band members themselves:
Win: Awesomely funny, spot-on musician, and a great teller of not-so-tall-tales.
Regine: Wonderful. I love her so much. What a performer.
Richard Parry: He got crazy into it. He always had a huge smile on his face and played his heart out. Majorly awesome upright bass skills as well.
Sarah Neufeld: Gorgeous and played like a madwoman. I almost drooled on my shirt when I saw her on the screen.
Everyone else on stage: You contributed to one of the tightest, most passionate bands I've ever seen live. It was truly marvelous.
By the encore, I was so exhausted that I could barely move around, but Keep The Car Running was truly inspired. I wasn't ready for such a great and intense show yesterday.
Next time, I'll come more prepared.
What else needs to be said? Arcade Fire was made for the stage. They're a great live band with tons of talent and have crafted two great albums. I wasn't really feeling up to the show, but I put in my all, clapping, singing, bouncing, shouting, and trying to contribute to a genius rock n roll show.
The National: A-
Arcade Fire: A+
Venue: B
Overall: A- (I had to remove points for the short setlist, and not being able to see very well for part of the show)
Setlist:
1. Black Mirror
2. No Cars Go
3. Laika
4. Haiti
5. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations
6. Neon Bible
7. Windowsill
8. Well and the Lighthouse
9. Ocean of Noise
10. (Antichrist Television Blues)
11. Power Out
12. Rebellion (Lies)
-------------
13. Keep the Car Running
14. Intervention
Why is that? Didn't they play a song before U2 took the stage? What was it called?
