Arcade Fire in NYC
25 February 2007
When I try to remember how I first heard of the Arcade Fire, memory escapes me. All I know is that somehow the music from their first album, Funeral, ended up on my ipod and I have been listening to tunes like Rebellion (Lies)and Haiti for at least two years now. One thing is certain, there was a buzz surrounding this Canadian band that led me to explore what they had to offer. I have to admit that the aforementioned buzz did build me up and I expected to be transported by their music…which can often happen on a first listen. This was not the case for myself though. Up until last week, I’m not sure I ever had a “must listen†moment. But please do not misunderstand me! I liked what I heard. I knew that what they had to offer musically was unique and incomparable. But truthfully, I wasn’t wholly taken in.
Something easily solved with a live experience.
Due to the pending drop of their second studio album, Neon Bible, the Arcade Fire recently played a series of five consecutive shows at the Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village. That’s right, a church, something that I admit, immediately intrigued me. Upon arrival, we studiously took our places as the last in an ever-growing line of individuals who we thought were regular ticket holders like ourselves. It didn’t take long to find out that this was a line for people who had no ticket! They were standing in the freezing, brisk weather in the hopes that someone would have an extra ticket or just not show up! Did I fail to mention that all five nights of the show were sold out? Well, as you can imagine, it was music to our ears to be able to skip this whole “line thing†in favor of walking straight through the entrance of the church without a hitch.
As I entered the main room of the church, I took in my surroundings. There were the usual stained glass windows and a choir loft above us. Ahead, there was a simple stage cluttered with various instruments: an accordion, keyboards, guitars, a violin, and a neon sign of a book, that reflected on the wall above the choir loft, a “neon bible†I presumed. The crowd consisted of the mature, professional type which was why I was pleasantly surprised when the concert began and this same mature crowd had no qualms about dancing, pumping their fists and singing along to a set list that ranged from the new (first single off the new album “Black Mirrorâ€) to the old (Neighborhood #1(Tunnels)). Arcade Fire has a reputation for building up a song gradually to a crescendo and this night was no exception. With each passing song, the crowd became more consumed as did the band. It was gratifying to see a group of performers who actually enjoyed the music they were playing. Despite my unfamiliarity with the material of the new album, I find myself anticipating it’s future release of March 6, 2007.
Arcade Fire truly is a trip to the unexpected. To conclude an already climatic night, the encore was additionally amazing. They began by playing “Windowsill,†a simple, sweet song that would have seemed to bring things full-circle; however, another surprise was in store. Known to go outside and play for the waiting masses on occasion, the band decided to keep things inside for this night. The band members systematically marched off stage and into the middle of the room for their second encore, Wake Up. In true kumbaya fashion, fans gathered around the band members to sing and take in the moment. Even as I stood on the edge of the crowd, I felt part of this obviously devoted group of fans. Although my initial feelings about Arcade Fire were in question, this experience has provided definitive answers, and the “must listen” moments are coming on strong.
4 Responses to “Arcade Fire in NYC”
February 26th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
sounds like a great show. i saw them on SNL this past week and i loved them. i can’t wait for the new album. i really liked the first song they did, ‘intervention’. they need to schedule a NOLA date!
March 1st, 2007 at 8:22 am
You can download their last live set here: http://www.friendswithmanagers.com/archives/2007/02/24/arcade-fire-live-at-judson-memorial-church/
March 1st, 2007 at 11:26 pm
thanks hynes!
April 11th, 2007 at 8:32 am
i am absolutely in love with arcade fire, and i actually am doing an intepretation on Tunnels. If anyone could help me out, or just give me ideas that would great.
thanks!
pvschurke@yahoo.com or pvschurke@saveelephants.com