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Rating: Let's admit it. This is indeed a rough period for music in general. The unstoppable rise of trashy electronic (because real electronic is something else) combined with the continuous decline in pop quality leaves youngsters like me, not even adults, with only one option: look to the past.
The issue, however, is another: unlike my father, I will never get to see Pink Floyd live, let alone the Beatles or Led Zeppelin.Something, however, did reach us. We have Arcade Fire (and not only them, of course).
I knew it was going to be a great experience, but as usual, reality is completely different from expectations. It starts strong, very strong. "Normal Person" opens the show and makes things clear: if you came just to stand still and listen to music, you're at the wrong concert. Following "Reflektor", the atmosphere of the new album takes over, add a bit of psychedelia and here you have "Flashbulb Eyes": better live than in headphones.
A potent start, yet soft when compared to the "Power Out/Rebellion" double-header wisely mixed together, almost like a DJ set. In the first one, the group expresses in all their propulsive strength that carries into the second: one of their best tracks, even better live. The very peculiar "Joan of Arc" follows, and the mediocre "Month of May" which, however, reveals all its potential live. Simple yet raging at the same time.
"The Suburbs" is a chapter of its own. The audience here can do nothing but stand almost still and sing, the most intimate moment of the concert. A thrilling finale with the chorus sung by everyone, literally everyone. The trip through the "suburbs" continues with "Ready To Start" and stops. Stop at "Funeral" and the first surprise of the night: "Laika", which takes the place in the setlist of the more beloved "album neighbor" Tunnels. However, I'm happy all the same.
"No Cars Go" is essential in their concerts, and as expected, it confirms itself as a masterpiece live. From here to the end, only Reflektor: "We Exist", "Afterlife" and "It`s Never Over" with Regine performing a duet from a small stage amidst the crowd with "Win", playing the roles of Eurydice and Orpheus respectively.
It ends with the danceable "Sprawl II" which I consider an adopted child of Reflektor.
After the first finale comes the customary Encore, opened by "Here Comes The Night Time", spectacular to say the least: an explosive party of confetti and colors. Then comes the second surprise of the evening "Keep The Car Running" and to top it all off, their song, their anthem, the one that will be remembered even 50 years from now when perhaps Arcade Fire will no longer exist. As for "Wake Up", there's no need to waste words. Wake Up must be experienced because Wake Up is Arcade Fire, the peak of closeness between them and the audience, united by a simple chorus written in 2004 by a young Canadian woman named Régine Chassagne.
Better than this, you can't close a performance. Something more than a performance.
A few days before the concert I read an interview on the online site of The Daily Telegraph, an English newspaper, with the title: "Arcade Fire: The best live band in the world"; I thought that was a bold statement.
Now, though, someone should tell them they were right.
In the meantime, I'll fall asleep; wake me for the next one. Even though, quoting a song dear to me:
"Sleeping is like giving up"
"No matter what time it is"
"Sleeping is like giving up"
"So lift those heavy eyelids"
But I just can't keep those eyelids open.
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