Noah and The
Whale hurtled through their support slot. In dapper suits and slicked back
barnets, they look quintessentially English. To start, only a few solitary
flailing arms were thrust into the air, however, old favourite “5 years time” with
its playful lyrics created raucous cheers. It was their set closer that gained
most interest. “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N” which was championed by Radio 1 and played
continuously, saw many scream the incredible yet annoyingly
catchy chorus.
With
military precision, an army of people scatter on stage to assemble the myriad
of instruments that are so synonymous with Arcade Fire. Launching the music
spectacle is “Ready to start”, a popular opener, with its chiming guitar tones
and crashing drums. “It’s easier to clap when you’re standing up.” Win Butler,
the idiosyncratic front man shouts ebulliently. By demand thousands rise to
their feet.
Zealous
renditions of “Rebellion”, “No Cars Go” and “Wake Up” prove to be instant crowd
pleasers. The former with “ooooo” echoing around the stadium to a blacked out
stage, creating quite a poignant moment, the latter being the eruption of “whoa
oh” in perfect sync to a shifting sea of bodies leading into a euphoric high. Whilst
Regine Chassagne, Butler’s wife and band mate, pirouetted and swirled around the
stage in a dream like haze.
“Month of May” injected some much needed fast
paced rock, where both band and crowd letting loose ramping up the intensity of
the night. The closing track “The Suburbs” was sublime in every way from its
lavishly orchestrated sections to its slowed down pace, showing clusters of
unity throughout a bursting stadium.
There’s
something so seemingly beautiful and commendable about seeing Arcade Fire
perform - their ability to unite a crowd. You only have to look at the groups
of men and boys bouncing around in a hugging embrace to see.
With 8
members on stage it runs the possibility of falling into a shambles. Although,
it’s this organised chaos, with members weaving their way through the obstacle
of instruments that works so well.
It’s plain
to see why they’ve racked up award after award and landed festival headline
spots. Frankly, they sound just as beguiling and ethereal live, if not more
than they do on record. So, who the f**k are arcade fire? The question so often
uttered. Well, just about the greatest band on earth, obviously.
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