How did it even happen? Three nights of Beirut and three nights of Arcade Fire within four days in New York City. Pleased with the four shows I was able to attend, I suggest wrapping up this madness by handing out awards.
Best Performer
Arcade Fire’s Regine Chassagne for excellent singing, drumming and hitting of other things.
(Pictures and all other important awards after the jump)
Arcade Fire’s first of three shows, this one at United Palace, was solid. It must’ve been quite a night for those in the first 30 rows or so. Even the Lower Loge seemed to have a great view. For the rest of us there was a sad realization, looking down from ULOGE G, that we have been spoiled by our Boweries and Mercuries. The venue was beautiful, though, and I was close enough to the ceiling to admire its intricate insanity. My favorite part of the night, however, would have to be an A train packed to the brim with Arcade Fire concert-goers after the show.
As I prepare for two Arcade Fire shows this week, writes Washington Post’s J. Freedom du Lac:
A ticket to an Arcade Fire show represents the possibility, if not the probability, of being transported — of transcendence. It’s the reason tickets to the 3,700-seat venue sold out in less than an hour. It’s also why the band is becoming increasingly known as one of the most vital live acts in contemporary popular music — a sort of modern-day art-rock answer to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, whose galloping music was echoed in Arcade Fire’s superlative set-closer, “Keep the Car Running.” (The Talking Heads are another important touchstone.)
Don’t be fooled: attending Coachella from the corner of your bedroom is just as exhausting. No, really. Well, Arcade Fire were explosive, weren’t they, so I took a moment to hold my tickets high up to the moonlight and stare at them for a few minutes. Although I wouldn’t mind trading my Radio City ticket for a Sunday night Beirut ticket if anyone’s interested.
Richard Reed Parry is an absolute champion, and Will Butler was up to some maniacal glockenspieling during “Power House Out,” which I would upload but just posting these has been enough work for the weekend available in a crappy You Tube version for now. (I’ll upgrade the quality of these “Keep the Car Running” soon. Also, Power Out - sorry, virtual post-Coachella exhaustion).
“Rebellion (Lies)”
Rebellion (Lies) “Keep the Car Running,” “Antichrist Television Blues” and “Power Out” after the jump:
