Seeing the Arcade Fire play an arena show felt slightly surreal. As they said themselves, they haven't had any hit singles, and hurdy gurdy and mandolin solos are hardly typical arena fare. Yet here were all 17,000 of us, braving transport chaos on a freezing night to see them. They have become an arena band by virtue of record sales and popularity, but without having to compromise their sound or show.
The set opened with real oomph, and a barnstorming Keep the Car Running about four songs in. There was then a more subdued run of songs from The Suburbs, after which the audience were asked to imagine they were at a real rock show for the set-closing run of classics (that should have been hits had they). I don't know whether it was because of audience reaction to it, or the band's familiarity with it, but the older material seemed to lift off in a way the newer songs didn't. Perhaps that will come with time.
We managed to grab a great spot right near the front, as the side of the floor was being kept clear, allowing people to walk right up to the front before the show started.
Overall, the show was a great improvement on their Neon Bible show at Ally Pally which felt rather hollow and had few of the peaks in this show (Keep the Car..., Wake Up... etc). With faith restored, it'll be exciting to see them next time they play in London. I suspect that, more than many bands, it'd be especially thrilling to see them in a theatre-style venue, so will definitely keep an eye out for any announcements about more intimate shows.
