Arcade Fire

[Porcelina]

Wasn't going to see them this weekend after the Philadelphia gig acting as a replacement, but picked up a last minute ticket when my friend asked me if we should go. I didn't take much persuasion!

They were superb as ever although Earls Court's sound was ropey for the first third or so, which surprised me given they'd had last night to dial it in.

The Antichrist snippet was the highlight of the night for me, my favourite Neon Bible song and haven't seen them play it since Leeds Festival 2007. Really hope to recompense for the lack of stuff off that album, they do a couple of tenth anniversary shows in 2017.

Definitely not the best I've seen them (that goes to Philly in March and Leeds 2010) but that was largely down to the venue. They are going to own the Pyramid.

ALSO! They've finally got a handle on It's Never Over live and it no longer sounds a bit flat.

Edited June 8, 2014 by Porcelina

[efcfanwirral]

I hope that keep the car running is there so much. Imagine all the pyramid field singing the first 'It's coooooominnng'. Magical.

I think that from the point of view of Glastonbury being a big deal, not 'just another gig in the tour' they should be playing their biggest hits. That means no cars go, intervention AND keep the car running. They aren't exactly awash with songs the casual observer will know so not playing those three will be a mistake I think

Even U2 deviated from the tour setlist. they have loads of access to people who really do get what it means - Chris Martin, Jarvis etc.

They are in danger of losing the crowd (and just as importantly long term the tv audiences) with a) that setlist order and too many songs people don't know

I'm definitely going for the front bit otherwise the crowd will ruin it

Edited June 8, 2014 by efcfanwirral

[DJL]

Yeah if the bunnymen and smiths covers are steady 7s or 8s then common people with jarvis and steve mackey on the pyramid has got to be a 9.8 for me (only leaving a ten for bowie obviously).

Not that i want to pack out the stonebridge any more than it will be anyway but if you want to see arcade fire and bobble heads hanging out afterwards and possibly doing a dj set as one of the 'and more' with desperate soundsystem that's where i'd be.

[GlastoSimon]

When you think about it, Jarvis and Steve Mackey would make total sense for many reasons.

Pulp/Bowie or no cover for me. Couldn't think of anyone else who would be worth it.

[Amy Lawn]

Heroes and Common People are such quintessential Glastonbury songs that they just make so much sense. Not that AF will necessarily know that.

[Lubic]

Skim-reading all these reviews so to avoid spoilers, but safe to say I am incredibly jealous. Glasto can't come soon enough!

I'll be gutted if they don't come back at the end of the year - saw them 3 times on The Suburbs tour, but it's looking like Glasto might be it for me this time round.

[Simpo]

Hopefully next year...

[Harmonic Prospector]

Arcade Fire - Reflektor (Vevo Tour Exposed):

watching this vevo tour documentary, their sound guy and stage crew are all British. I think it is these guys who will be advising them if they are in any doubt as to the importance of what a Glasto headlining slot should be like. Just in case they were toying with the idea of playing Wake Up two songs in like they did at Hyde Park! Listening to those guys interviewed it seems they are all pretty tight so i would imagine a few tweaks to the setlist for a tv audience may well occur.

[bocumaroy]

A part of me hopes that the inclusion of Flashbulb Eyes in virtually every setlist on the tour is because it provides the sound guy an early opportunity to play with the sound levels. We all know, especially in arenas, that it takes the the first couple of numbers before the sound guys get things sounding the way they want because of the varying problematic acoustics these venues have. So my view is that Flashbulb Eyes is the sacrificial lamb that ensures the rest of the gig sounds amazing. I still think it's unnecessary and my fear is that for people watching at home who have never heard of Arcade Fire or haven't really given them their full attention will hear that and be like "Nah, not for me" and switch over. I think Reflektor straight into Power Out/Rebellion would be the perfect opening to a pyramid stage set.

Nah, they play it because they like it (so do I). We Exist is easily the worst song they play, for me.

Sorry to derail the excitement about the London shows (the unanimously enthusiastic reports have pushed up my Glastonbury excitement to massive levels), but I just wanted to post that Jarvis Cocker was spotted at the Paris show. I can only conclude that it's 100% certain we'll see a Common People cover at G.

Fucking hell, this actually sounds like something that would happen, doesn’t it? Assuming he’s friendly with them (despite people on the internet who don’t know him being convinced that win is a c**t, he seems to be friends with just about everyone) and not just there as a casual observer, it seems massively possible. Win is a Pulp fan, so would definitely be keen, and if Jarvis is on board then the only reason they wouldn’t have done it there and then is because they’re saving it for some other time...plus with him DJing later that night. You’ve got me excited.

I think that from the point of view of Glastonbury being a big deal, not 'just another gig in the tour' they should be playing their biggest hits. That means no cars go, intervention AND keep the car running. They aren't exactly awash with songs the casual observer will know so not playing those three will be a mistake I think

Even U2 deviated from the tour setlist. they have loads of access to people who really do get what it means - Chris Martin, Jarvis etc.

They are in danger of losing the crowd (and just as importantly long term the tv audiences) with a) that setlist order and too many songs people don't know

I'm definitely going for the front bit otherwise the crowd will ruin it

None of those three songs are exactly massive hits though, are they? No Cars Go was played on ITV sport adverts occasionally, but I don’t think I’ve ever even heard the other two out of an Arcade Fire context. I mean, I’m sure they got some exposure at the time that I didn’t pay attention to, but I dunno, don’t think many non-fans would recognise them. I think The Suburbs and Ready to Start are there most well known songs, which are both definites in the setlist anyway. I think they should go for as much energy as possible, which means Keep the Car Running and Month of May, ideally.

Edit: I definitely agree with their being a danger of them losing the crowd though, and I feel the same about getting close to the stage.

Edited June 8, 2014 by bocumaroy

[Tuna]

NOT MONTH OF MAY

[bocumaroy]

I really love it anyway, the lyrics are great and capture the spirit of why I love them, and it’s especially good live.

Anyway, can someone please give me a reason why this Pulp suggestion categorically won’t happen? Because I’ve got it into my head now, and I can become a bit weird when this happens. Been doing some googling and Sarah Neufield played with them at a festival in 2011, so they owe Arcade Fire one.

Edited June 8, 2014 by bocumaroy

[Muppetmark]

NOT MONTH OF MAY

Month of May was really really good last night. Great song live

[LondonTom]

I’ve still never seen a show from up in the seats. Can’t imagine having done that tonight. Dunno if it was just because I had a better spot (central about 5 rows back) tonight, but thought the energy was incredible in the crowd, better than any full Arcade Fire gig I’ve been at.

The seats in Earls Court look really odd, almost completely separated as they don't have the lower tier.....its not the great venue in the world I don't think...apart from they do have the bar nailed down for getting people drinks quick to be fair.

Hoping they noticed how no cars go got the best reaction (bar wake up) on friday and include more neon bible.

Really?! It felt a bit flat for me for most of the audience..they all seemed to be talking near me. Saying that the girl next to me started crying and hugged her mate throughout it. Was weird as other people around us didn't seem to give a fuck. (They left shortly after and it got bloody awesome then )

Sorry to derail the excitement about the London shows (the unanimously enthusiastic reports have pushed up my Glastonbury excitement to massive levels), but I just wanted to post that Jarvis Cocker was spotted at the Paris show. I can only conclude that it's 100% certain we'll see a Common People cover at G.

STICK!

Still can't get over how good that show was on friday, even after spending the day drinking and watching other bands. I don't really think they need to change the setlist to much...maybe open with one biggie instead of Reflektor. (Hope Suburbs is better to...but that could have been the audience around us at when they played those.)

AND OH! Fuck yesterdays setlist...getting month of may the day after I see them >_>

Edited June 9, 2014 by LondonTom

[Tuna]

Month of May was really really good last night. Great song live

agh its pretty lively but as far as arcade fire go it's pretty derivative, and i find it pretty boring

[Jimmyeatspeople]

Really?! It felt a bit flat for me for most of the audience..they all seemed to be talking near me. Saying that the girl next to me started crying and hugged her mate throughout it. Was weird as other people around us didn't seem to give a fuck. (They left shortly after and it got bloody awesome then )

I got swallowed up into a huge jumping group hug full of randomers behind me all going bonkers. No Cars Go was probably the highlight of the set for me.

I absolutely adore Sprawl ii, but it fell a little flat on Saturday IMO, strange as it really should be the sort of song that translates well to a live setting.

Flashbulb Eyes and Joan of Arc don't really do it for me. Shame.

Edited June 9, 2014 by Jimmyeatspeople

[Zoo Music Girl]

agh its pretty lively but as far as arcade fire go it's pretty derivative, and i find it pretty boring

I'm with you dude. It does nothing for me.

[windy_miller]

agh its pretty lively but as far as arcade fire go it's pretty derivative, and i find it pretty boring

I felt the same when it first came out but I've warmed to it over the years.

Was the Smiths cover any good the other night?

[Tuna]

https://soundcloud.com/arcadefiretubes/arcade-fire-london-the-smiths-cover

yeah it was - crowd around me weren't familiar though

[Muppetmark]

I turned up at around 5:15 yesterday to queue and I got 2nd row really central. And the atmosphere there was absolutely phenomenal. It's always good to be around the hardcores for atmosphere

[stuartbert two hats]

I got swallowed up into a huge jumping group hug full of randomers behind me all going bonkers. No Cars Go was probably the highlight of the set for me.

I absolutely adore Sprawl ii, but it fell a little flat on Saturday IMO, strange as it really should be the sort of song that translates well to a live setting.

Flashbulb Eyes and Joan of Arc don't really do it for me. Shame.

They always have the synths too low in the mix for my liking when they play Sprawl II live.

[DJL]

Really?! It felt a bit flat for me for most of the audience..they all seemed to be talking near me. Saying that the girl next to me started crying and hugged her mate throughout it. Was weird as other people around us didn't seem to give a fuck. (They left shortly after and it got bloody awesome then )

Honestly from where i iwas people went crazy for it - was my highlight and i wouldn't normally put it in my top five

[kaytee...]

Watching the live stream from pink pop and a massive storm has arrived from nowhere but everyone in the crowd looks proper happy. Getting me real excited for Glasto now.

[Mr Splodge]

Bloody weather and mud thread bump.

[kaytee...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZQWn-D5NdI

Pinkpop performance from earlier this evening. Love how everyone's covered in soggy confetti at the end and they still don't seem to care.

[Joshuwarr]

I have a feeling this set will be one of the finest sets in the festivals history. Of course that is completely subjective but I just have a feel it is gonna be bloody special