Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire

21 July, 2008
by: Joe Harrod

Sunday night, a wet and windy walk up to the Alexandra Palace to see the most anticipated gig of the year. Arcade Fire, saying goodbye at the end of a triumphant European tour.

This has been their year. The Canadian indie outfit began 2007 selling out five London gigs in two minutes and broke into mainstream consciousness this summer, bewitching thousands at Glastonbury. To say we were excited is putting it mildly.

In the event, they were only OK.

Well, they were brilliant. But only in patches. Certainly not as magical as in earlier church hall and bandstand shows. This was a huge, draughty venue but with tickets like gold dust, and thousands of acolytes literally screeching with pleasure, there was a definite whiff of the emperor's new clothes.

There's no denying the power, or the grace of this band. After initial sound problems they were soon demonstrating total control and evidently enjoying themselves silly. Songs like 'Rebellion (Lies)' roused the venue in a manner reminiscent of early U2 gigs, with driving rock and passionate sing-a-long lyrics combining to heady effect.

The gig proceeded in a well orchestrated procession of anthemic tracks, with the crowd encouraged to literally lift the roof to tracks like 'Wake Up' and 'Black Mirror', with their distinctive word-free shouty choruses. However, at this level, the fervour of the music and the crowd suddenly began to claw away at the experience. When everyone sings along to every single song, it suddenly becomes obvious that they are all rather similar.

And, that there are no guitar solos. Win Butler and Regine Chassagne, the husband and wife duo at the core of this group, are totally captivating. They aren't the only geniuses at work, either. From the first this band has created swelling, layered hymns which stand hundreds of listenings. But much of their live effect is based on heavy drums and strummed blues guitar overlaid by enthusiastic bashing. And of course, the singalong effect.

In fact, by far the best bits of the show were those brief moments between choruses, when Win sang. What a voice. The concert was a series of shared climaxes between an adoring following and a band at the height of their powers. But there's at least one member of the Arcade Fire who can only play drum with one hand.

Overall, this was a hugely impressive gig, but the real showmanship lies in the orchestration, not the play. And while this band can hold a crowd of any size in the palm of their hand, they need to let go occasionally and show their fans something that they cannot sing along to. Something out of the ordinary – they certainly have it in spades, but seem too careful about keeping everyone along for the ride.

Arcade Fire are certainly our favourite indie rock band of the moment. And one of the best live bands we've ever seen. But with two certified classic albums under their belt and status as live gig gods firmly secured, its time for one of two things to happen: Write a song that makes your fans fall silent, or show us what you can do without your tambourine banging retinue.

Click here to see all London live music.
Click here to see all London indie.
Click here for things to do in Wood Green.

Joe Harrod