The Arcade Fire look like a choir taken from a collection of musically gifted public schoolboys. In fact they are the product of a genius partnership between husband and wife Win Butler and Regine Chassagne. They sound, and in some strange way look a lot like The Polyphonic Spree. It is the same breed of spiritually uplifting indie.
They managed to fill up the stage with musicians. The fantastic violinist Owen Pallet from the one-man band 'Final Fantasy' had recently become a fixed member of the live band that employ 12 string guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, drums, piano, violin, viola, cello, xylophone, accordion, keyboard, harp, synthesisers, rickenbackers and horns. If that’s not an exhausting enough list of instruments you should hear their vocal harmonies. It's a wonder they managed to fit everyone on stage with all their instruments.
The set mainly featured songs from last years 'Funeral' album. 'Wake Up' is a lustrously spiritual number of epic proportions and is the ideal set opener. 'Haiti' is an experimental collection of flutes, whistles and chimes played along to the foot tapping sound of an acoustic guitar and some soothing female vocals.
Told to get off stage so Babyshambles can set up - The Arcade Fire were having none of it. When the music is this great and the atmosphere so uplifting the last thing you need is Pete Doherty ruining it all. Just when you think The Arcade Fire are about to leave 'Rebellion (Lies)' kicks in with a sudden energetic burst and without sounding too clichéd, the crowd went wild! Stomping drums, poetic violins, perfect vocals to accompany great lyrics - The Arcade Fire really do have it all.
The crowd hopped up and down along time to 'Rebellion (Lies)' bass line and the stage was doused in a warm red light when Win Butler began orchestrating the rest of his band with his fantastic voice. A few drum sticks flew into the audience, then the drum kit itself, and then finally the drummer. The band was so animated it was like watching an epileptic perform Punch and Judy under Strobe lighting. Lapping up the atmosphere I realised this was the reason I go to festivals.
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