Arcade Fire put on quite the spectacle at the Bridgestone Arena Thursday night; from their staple paper mache heads dancing around, to an elaborate use of mirrors and lights throughout the show.
When I hear Arcade fire, I don’t automatically think of them as a “Rock Arena” type. I was proved wrong from the moment they walked on stage to when it was time for the final bow. They gave a memorable performance and kept everyone on their toes.
As part of the Reflektor tour, Arcade Fire asked each individual to participate in a dress code suggestion of “formal attire or costume”. As some might see as a pretentious request, I saw as more of a playful undertaking. That night I was surrounded by an assortment of people in attire ranging from tuxedos & formal gowns to Winnie the Pooh costumes. It adds an element of lightheartedness to the evening when you’re in line for a drink and turn around to a Jesus, or are washing your hands next to a woman in a ball gown worth more than your car.
The whole night was an exposition of outstanding live music, confetti explosions, ever-changing stage décor and backdrops, and even more confetti (seriously there was a lot of confetti). My eyes were constantly moving across the stage as well as the arena. That was mainly due to frontman Win Butler and his wife Regine Chassagne. They are brilliant musicians with a captivating stage presence.
I couldn’t get enough of Regine- a-jack-of-all-trades. She reminds me of that one person we all seem to know who excels at everything. One minute she’s on stage playing the keys, the next she vanishes only to appear singing and dancing in the middle of the arena. You look away for one second to find that she has made her way back on stage and is now rocking out on the drums and giving a killer rendition of Sprawl (Mountains Beyond Mountains). The girl has some major stamina.
As much as I loved them playing at the Bridgestone and love that they have the ability to fill it, I will always prefer seeing them play in smaller venues. I mean who wouldn’t? Each member is so charismatic, that it is difficult to see and appreciate the individual’s personality through a sea of confetti and backdrop décor. Nevertheless it was a phenomenal performance with a perfect setlist. I have been waiting to see them play again for quite some time, and it was well worth the wait.
– Rachel Milligan
Arcade Fire Setlist:
- Here Comes The Night Time
- Reflektor
- Flashbulb Eyes
- Neighborhood #3
- Rebellion
- Joan of Arc
- Get Right
- Month of May
- The Suburbs
- The Suburbs (continued)
- Ready to Start
- We Exist
- Neighborhood #1
- Crown of Love
- My Body is a Cage
- Afterlife
- Its Never Over
ENCORE:
- Normal Person
- Intervention
- Broad Minded
- Wake Up
