The Listen

Seriously, this was such an amazing show that unless you were there, I can’t fully describe to you how perfect it was in every way.  Clicke here to see some photos (mostly from the sweet video screens)

First, it was on an island (and no, not Manhattan), so that was a
fun adventure (although the trek home over the bridge into Manhattan
can only be described as some sort of hipster internment camp).
Second, when we bought the tickets, I’m not even sure I knew LCD
Soundsystem would be opening, but slowly the line-up was added to and
by the end it was Les Savy Fav Wild Light, Blonde Redhead, and LCD with
some random stages erected around the park with Mariachi bands
playing.  A mini-festival if you will.  We were so happy to have it
turn into a day of great bands.

I have say that I’ve been fortunate enough to see Arcade Fire in
some pretty special venues……The Troubadour in LA, Coachella, and
Saturday Night Live (maybe I’m little obsessed).  But each time, they
out do themsevles and make the show at hand unique and different, so
there is never the feeling that if you’ve seen them once, then you know
their show.  I was really excited to see them perform the Neon Bible
material and they did not disappoint.  Whether it be the awesome
opening of a montage of excerpts from televangelists sermons or the
cool speaker-looking video screens placed around the stage that showed
each band member performing or the neon Bible continually making
appearances or the red neon/ light strips at the FRONT of the stage,
they primed the stage for the band to deliver their music.

Like always, they brought their contagious energy and enthusiasm.
They performed all of the favorites from the EP, Funeral, Neon Bible,
and Cold Wind from the 6 Feet Under soundtrack and I think one
new one.  The crowd was completely into it and singing all of the
"ooohs and aaahs".  Win was so sincere in his gratitude to the other
bands and to the audience for attending.  The only tidbit he said that
was a tad concerning, but completely understandable was that he said
that this would be the Fire’s last show in NYC for a couple of years.
Not sure if that means they’re off to Europe, on a hiatus, recording a
new album, but if I won’t be seeing them for a couple of years, they
made sure that this show would tide me over till then (if that’s even
possible). 

I understand from Brooklyn Vegan
that there was a 2nd encore to the side of the stage acoustic, which
I’m really bummed about missing especially since the only thing better
I had to do was stand in a mob trying to get on a bus back to Manhattan
and when that seemed hopeless walk to the bridge where we stood in a
similar mob.  Oh well, I will take solace in the 5 song set they played
on the SNL stage after the show where I almost stepped on Lorne
Michaels and was next to Fred Armason singing along to "Wake Up"…..i
apologize for the bragging, but I never posted about this and this is
my one chance.

Anyways, we love you Arcade Fire…..you are what music and
performing is all about and you always make me feel like a kid again
during your shows.  Have a great couple of years and we’ll catch up in
2009.

Click here for a pretty cool Interactive Arcade Fire video.