It's impossible for me to put into words how awesome this concert was without diminishing the experience. Thankfully I think these pictures speak for themselves. There were a lot to choose from but I've finally been able to narrow down some of my favorites to share. It's obvious that I was pushed around a little bit throughout the concert as my position is never really consistent, but I did some of my own pushing and got some pretty close-up pictures. Being tall and skinny serves me quite well at concerts as I can almost always clearly see the band, and can quickly slip by people to get closer when they are distracted. Really my only regret is not taking a picture of my friend Chris and I decked out in our secondhand suit and ties.
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| (Power Out) |
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| I see you, Win. |
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| I love the black and white photos. |
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| No cars go |
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| My favorite moment of the concert - Afterlife. |
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| "Hit me with your flashbulb eyes" |
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| Cover of Prince's Controversy. The screen on Win Butler's head was flashing between images of Prince and Michelle Bachmann. |
The setlist was almost perfect, beautifully blending a variety of songs from all four of their albums. The songs from their newest album, Reflektor, sounded particularly good and ended up being my favorite ones. Other standouts for me included Neighborhood #1, Neighborhood #3, Ready to Start, and No Cars Go. They were all good!
Setlist:
My Body is a Cage
Reflektor
Flashbulb Eyes
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
Joan of Arc
Rococo
The Suburbs
The Suburbs (Continued)
Ready to Start
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
We Exist
Normal Person
No Cars Go
Haiti
Afterlife
It's Never Over (Oh Orpheus)
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Encore:
Controversy [Prince cover]
Here Comes the Night Time
Wake Up
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| Before the concert began, as the stadium began to fill, these guys were scattered around the general admission floor dancing by themselves. If I wasn't so obsessed with getting as close a spot as possible I would have stopped to dance with them for awhile. |
In a 2011 Rolling Stones interview, Marcus Mumford called Arcade Fire the best live band in the world. That's a pretty huge statement, and for me especially when you consider the source. After seeing them live for myself now I would have a tough time arguing against him. Not only is Arcade Fire one of the best live bands in the world but simply one of the best bands in the world, period. Can't wait to see them again some day!
