Arcade Fire @ the Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal August 30

Arcade Fire's world tour in support of the new album Reflektor came to a close before an adoring hometown crowd in Montreal's Parc Jean-Drapeau August 30 -- the carnival-like atmosphere permeated the balmy breezy summer night with most of the fans in some sort of fancy dress or costume.  The local C-Pop band Franka opened the concert connecting Arcade Fire's latest Haitian influences as one dollar of every ticket sold (estimated at 30,000) going towards the KANPE Foundation providing assistance in the country (set up by band member Régine Chassagne who is of Haitian descent). After being pranked at the very first warehouse show in Brooklyn last October, I was more than willing to give this beloved band a second chance.

Spoon

Veteran indie band Spoon hit the stage to bring the music back into the alt-rock realm, rolling out hits such as "Got Nuffin'," "I Turn My Camera On," and "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb." These sturdy rock tunes were interspersed with songs from the latest album, They Want My Soul, such as the instant classic “Rent I Pay,” the soulful “Inside Out” and an extra spacey “Knock, Knock, Knock.”  It was great to see singer Britt Daniel’s swagger back as frontman after his side project as Divine Fits that required him to share the stage. He thanked Arcade Fire for inviting them along on the tour and cheekily remarked that this was “quite a crowd” in attendance. The band definitely acquired some additional followers that night with this solid set of old and new.

Dance party man Dan Deacon kept things going while the road crew readied the stage for the main act. He even had to ask for a sand bag or something to keep his D.J. gear from bouncing mightily while grooving to his own music. As he likes to do, Deacon created a dance off between sides of the audience mimicking appointed leaders, a Simon Says game that had the throngs connecting in movement.

A giant mirrored robot announced Arcade Fire in a booming voice across the venue, and with the title track from the new album, “Reflektor,” everything was kicked into high gear.  Songwriter Win Butler finally spoke a few songs in using a Franglais sprinkled with expletives, saying how happy they were to be back home after traveling the world.  So many favorite Arcade Fire songs were on the set list (see below), all even more fabled and anthemic in the live setting.  The new songs were also given an extra dimension, for example Win Butler asked everyone to pretend they were in a crowded club and dance to “We Exist.”

While the current touring band includes over a dozen musicians, so much of the coverage has focused on husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne. (For example, the print edition of The New York Times had photos only of them with a recent review.) Will Butler arrived center stage to sing in older songs and jam on guitar with brother Win, and even the horn section had choreographed moves. But during the song, “It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus),” the couple really did steal the show by recreating the longing of mythological separated lovers, with expressive singing in a dramatic duet as Chassagne was off on a platform off stage surrounded by dancers in skeleton costumes.

As the band has done throughout the tour, a cover tune was selected for the location. In Montreal, Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” was offered, cranking up the guitar crunch in respect.  The group then returned to their own party music for “Here Comes the Nighttime,” with the extra costumed dancers joining in. Always anticipated but never out of place, Arcade Fire’s epic “Wake Up” closed the night, a sing along complete with confetti and fireworks. All is forgiven now, see set list curtesy of @ArcadeFireTube and videos below plus more videos on our YouTube page.

Waiting for Spoon

Camera guy Paul in the crowd