Arcade Fire

[Simpo]

I don't expect everyone to love it. I was replying to someone who said they'd seen no evidence of AF not loving it in '07. He said "the site" was "rainy and horrible"; and the stuff about not relating to the magic, festivals being "a sort of hell" and waiting in "some goddamned tent" was certainly nothing to do with the weather. How many other acts have ever whinged like that? He came across as a spoilt rockstar.

Yes, he comes across a little like that there. I'd like to think he'd cringe at reading it back. But if you do multiple interviews, eventually you're gonna say something which makes you come across the wrong way, right? Especially since they're not polished media-friendly folk. He seems a little introverted and uncomfortable being interviewed sometimes, to me.

Sounds like Win was just being a bit of a dick. His thing about people playing proper instruments just struck me as tiny tears.

EDIT: Referring to his Coachella comments.

During that song Win has been saying lots of silly things with a wink and a nod. They have had DJs as their only support, and earlier in the song he also says "that's the Pope over there, so show some respect", so don't take it too seriously!

And here's a Telegraph interview with the band later that year in which their Glasto appearance is described as "unhappy": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3669254/Arcade-Fire-The-Fire-that-lit-up-the-world.html

I seem to remember Win having a weird go at someone in the crowd (?) during it too.

Certainly generally accepted that they did not enjoy themselves. I'm sure it'll be better this time around.

I know what you mean, he says "Hey, how much are they paying you to hold that Heineken flag? Seems like a good job." Bit glib, yeah. But I think it's easy to read too much into things!

I will say that these little snippets suggest early-mid 2007 wasn't the happiest time for them. Win had throat surgery or something around that time I think too.

Still comes across like they enjoyed their show in 2007 in the video! Not at their very very best, but hey!

[mattgimmeshelter]

just realised they subbed reading and leeds in 2007

They've only just become known to the mainstream audience of the UK - was this a huge bump up back then?

This is someone speaking unsure of how big Arcade Fire were around then?

[CHRLY]

Win said to someone in the crowd with a Heineken flag 'how much do they pay you to hold that flag'. If that's what you're referring to then he isn't having a go at the person, the company however...

[kingcrawler]

just realised they subbed reading and leeds in 2007

They've only just become known to the mainstream audience of the UK - was this a huge bump up back then?

This is someone speaking unsure of how big Arcade Fire were around then?

Think they sold out an academy tour in early 2007 and did an arena tour later in the year. They played 3rd on Main at T that year as well.

[Dan R]

just realised they subbed reading and leeds in 2007

They've only just become known to the mainstream audience of the UK - was this a huge bump up back then?

This is someone speaking unsure of how big Arcade Fire were around then?

They did a UK arena tour that year as well so they were pretty big!

[Babyquack]

just realised they subbed reading and leeds in 2007

They've only just become known to the mainstream audience of the UK - was this a huge bump up back then?

This is someone speaking unsure of how big Arcade Fire were around then?

yeah FR gave them the initial bump up as they headlined Latitude in 07 too. Without FR's push, I reckon it would have taken them longer to become a headline band (still would have done it though, just would have taken longer)

Edited April 14, 2014 by Babyquack

[CHRLY]

yeah FR gave them the initial bump up as they headlined Latitude in 07 too. Without FR's push, I reckon it would have taken them longer to become a headline band (still would have done

it though, just would have taken longer)

They did also give them a headline slot before the suburbs had even come out. Well, it had by the time the festival came but not when they were announced.

[mattgimmeshelter]

It still annoys me that they are still pretty niche in terms of major bands

I think after glasto they will be much bigger here!

[Simpo]

Fair play to Reading and Leeds, they do give new bands a shot at higher slots, rather than relying completely on established top billers. Even if they're off the mark sometimes, they at least try and do something different sometimes, unlike your Vs and Ts.

[dentalplan]

It still annoys me that they are still pretty niche in terms of major bands

I think after glasto they will be much bigger here!

I don't. They've been at a pretty high level for ages now and I'm not sure Glastonbury will do much to boost that. People who know music will certainly know them and people who don't probably won't be arsed. I think they might just belong to a style of music that isn't particularly big in the UK.

[CHRLY]

I don't. They've been at a pretty high level for ages now and I'm not sure Glastonbury will do much to boost that. People who know music will

certainly know them and people who don't probably won't be arsed. I think they might just belong to a style of music that isn't particularly big in the UK.

Yeh I agree, it makes me sad though because a lot of their songs are perfect for stadium shows but I'm not sure we're ever going to see one.

Has there ever actually been a time that Glasto has made an act 'massive'?

[bocumaroy]

Don’t want them to get any bigger, personally.

Happy for all their success, but I’d rather they were still relatively obscure, from my own selfish perspective.

EDIT: I’m surprised Afterlife wasn’t at least a bit of a hit.

Edited April 15, 2014 by bocumaroy

[sjseabass]

Yeh I agree, it makes me sad though because a lot of their songs are perfect for stadium shows but I'm not sure we're ever going to see one.

Has there ever actually been a time that Glasto has made an act 'massive'?

I think Muse '04 is the standard answer here. I was only 12 at the time and not really into music yet so I can't really contextualise that any further, but I'm sure there will be some people along shortly to explain the situation .

[Babyquack]

They did also give them a headline slot before the suburbs had even come out. Well, it had by the time the festival came but not when they were announced.

Yeh I agree, it makes me sad though because a lot of their songs are perfect for stadium shows but I'm not sure we're ever going to see one.

Yeah, FR spotted a brilliant band and pushed hard for them and hey, it def. paid off! Although I was not there, I have heard many many good things about there set from Reading 11'. Although the crowd was relatively small in comparison to the other two headliners, it was not dead in any way!

I'm not sure how I'd feel about seeing them in a stadium. I prefer seeing them in the smallest venue possible. I'd rather they did a longer arena tour than do a stadium BUT, saying this, I know they'd fit a stadium atmosphere easily

[WS_Jack_III]

Yeh I agree, it makes me sad though because a lot of their songs are perfect for stadium shows but I'm not sure we're ever going to see one.

Has there ever actually been a time that Glasto has made an act 'massive'?

I wouldn't say it was because of Glasto that they went global but Kings of Leon headlined just before Only By The Night dropped. Glasto was ahead of the game there. Edited April 15, 2014 by III

[Dan R]

I wouldn't say it was because of Glasto that they went global but Kings of Leon headlined just before Only By The Night dropped. Glasto was ahead of the game there.

Might the same be said for Coldplay? They headlined just before A Rush of Blood to the Head came out which made them massive. Headlining Glastonbury might have been a coincidence but it definitely didnt harm them!

[topmarksbri]

Definitely didn't make them but Arctic Monkeys playing last year, I think it definitely gave their album a push back into the collective conciousness.

[tommyds]

Yeah, FR spotted a brilliant band and pushed hard for them and hey, it def. paid off! Although I was not there, I have heard many many good things about there set from Reading 11'. Although the crowd was relatively small in comparison to the other two headliners, it was not dead in any way!

It was a good show but the sound was shite, I was right at the front for the Reading set and people were maintaining conversations at normal volume

[theDandy]

Yeah, FR spotted a brilliant band and pushed hard for them and hey, it def. paid off! Although I was not there, I have heard many many good things about there set from Reading 11'. Although the crowd was relatively small in comparison to the other two headliners, it was not dead in any way!

I'm not sure how I'd feel about seeing them in a stadium. I prefer seeing them in the smallest venue possible. I'd rather they did a longer arena tour than do a stadium BUT, saying this, I know they'd fit a stadium atmosphere easily

I seen them at Leeds in 2010. To this day it remains the best gig I've ever been to, and a benchmark for any gigs I now go to. The crowd wasn't big at all as Pendulum were on at the same time who are your typical Leeds goers type of band... but yeah they were brilliant. Magnifiqué as Régine might say.

[Dan R]

Definitely didn't make them but Arctic Monkeys playing last year, I think it definitely gave their album a push back into the collective conciousness.

I actually remember people on here questioning whether they were still big enough to headline, and whether theyd start moving down the bill. Glastonbury definitely gave them a massive boost.

I do think Arcade Fire will get a boost im popularity, I reckon theres a lot of people who would like the style of music but just havent heard of them. Even just the hype leading up to the festival will get their name in the public consciousness.

[Lubic]

I seen them at Leeds in 2010. To this day it remains the best gig I've ever been to, and a benchmark for any gigs I now go to. The crowd wasn't big at all as Pendulum were on at the same time who are your typical Leeds goers type of band... but yeah they were brilliant. Magnifiqué as Régine might say.

It was superb. The Neon Bible era completely bypassed me, so I was stood there thinking "why the hell did I stop listening to these guys?!" It was a great atmosphere but not rammed - I arrived a little late, bought a pint at the back of the field during Laika, and casually strolled nearer to the front. Edited April 15, 2014 by Lubic87

[dentalplan]

I actually remember people on here questioning whether they were still big enough to headline, and whether theyd start moving down the bill. Glastonbury definitely gave them a massive boost.

R U Mine gave them a massive boost. Their Glastonbury set was hugely hyped in the run up to the festival, and when they were alongside the Stones that was quite a feat. I think if they just played another festival last year they'd be at the same level.

[CHRLY]

There is no question, Monkeys were definately big enough to headline. Don't know how that suggestion could have even come up.

They did an arena tour in 2011 and I know they sold out Manchester so I assume it mostly sold out.

[LondonTom]

Watched it last night , That was pretty damn awesome again I have to say! The ending was just utterly brilliant!! Its been been done now I know and might not be possible at Glastonbury but it would be awesome to see something else like that!

The Heart of Glass cover into Spawll II was fantastic, I feared for what it would be like when I read it but it was again bloody fantastic! Really fantastic...but I kind of hope we get something different/with someone else at Glastonbury just to make it more unique!

Personally thought Win's little quips about the Coachella's VIP areas and "real instruments" were great

Intresting the stream video, only did close ups and nothing of the set actually! Makes me quite excited for that still in June

[kingcrawler]

While Arctic's arena tour sold out in 2011, it did so nowhere near as quickly as their arena tour last year. I'm sure every date sold out within a few minutes last year, standing for Glasgow sold out in the pre-sale and seating went within 2 minutes whereas there were still tickets for a few weeks in 2011.