Like my previous post, I thought that seeing them for the third time, the recent two in consecutive nights, will erode my interest and "awe" in them. And at the very beginning of their set during their second night at GAMH, I thought that albeit for only a brief moment. My friends and I secured a really good spot this time, front and center, to see the band in all their glory. Unfortunately, that spot had its consequences: we had to stand there and perish as opening bands Tyco B and Final Fantasy did their bit. Granted, I came in late (as usual) and saw Final Fantasy, but his schtick immediately wore off. This is especially the case when he did his avante garde bit with the yelling into the violin and even more random fits of shouting. Although Owen is very talented, I think his role is better suited as Arcade Fire's second violinist.
Arcade Fire came on much quicker this time, since their set-up is practically rooted at the GAMH stage for the next three nights. There really is no incentive to disassemble and re-arrange from the previous night. Like last night's show, the band came on with the same stage outfits and opened with the same two songs, "Wake Up" and "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)."
Although the same two songs came on, they were noticeably different from the night before. First, "Wake Up" didn't seem so great the third time around. Although it is still my favourite song from the album Funeral, the in unison shout of the band didn't seem to be that strong tonight. Maybe it was where I was standing, where the speakers were weirdly aligned, or maybe it's because of my "been there, done that" attitude at that point, or, and this is the most logical reason, it may be because of Win's initial guitar problems, but it just wasn't the same. However, that feeling quickly disappeared towards the last and final group shout. The shivers came back and it was more intense than ever. The below 5'7" crowd I was around was jumping and dancing at the last minutes of the song. The crowd was into it, and then I became into it.
"Neighborhood #2 (Laika)" [pictured above] was also different because, apparently, someone stole Will's blue helmet. Win then threatened the crowd, albeit jokingly, that if he sees the helmet on eBay, he will kill the person! The absence of the helmet really changed the dynamics of the song because, usually, Will goes ape shit with that helmet on and does really bad things. Like smash walls! I was looking forward to him smashing more walls, but this time no such smashing was to be found. However, Richard did climb up the speaker and ignited the crowd with his helmet bashing. Will proceeded to do other things that are even more electrifying compared to last nights. At this point, I was thinking, "Damn it! I LOVE THIS BAND!!"
"No Cars Go" was the next song. At this point, Win was urging the crowd to stop acting as if the GAMH was a museum. Although the GAMH did look like a museum, I really didn't understand this remark because it seemed like the crowd was even more into it tonight compared to the night before. Another fantastic rendition of this Arcade Fire staple. Will was his usual crazy self, playing the guitar wildly and marching back and forth throughout the stage. At one point, Win had enough of his shenanigans and Win took the mic cord and wrapped it around the neck of his brother and proceeded to strangle him. We were in shock! But it made for great entertainment. Also, Win was slightly injured in this set because he hit his head on the mic. This produced some bloodshed and that's probably why he choked his brother. It was pure foreshadowing because more antics involving bodily harm were to come up.
Regine was as dazzling as ever when she was playing the steel drums during Arcade Fire's rendition of the Talking Head's "This is the Place" [see above]. She was playing with the crowd the entire time, raising her arms and playing "peek-a-boo." She's so cute! Why must she be all chummy with Win. Yeah, the guy's her husband. And they are madly in love as evidenced by her signing a friend's EP (my friend's name is Edwin, and she wrote edWIN and placed smiley faces and hears around WIN - argh!!!). I'm happy for them . . . I guess. But I digress.
Not sure what was next, but maybe it was "Haiti."
As the band powered through the rest of the album, including my new favourite renditions of "Rebellion (Lies)" and "Crown of Love," the band came back for their first encore. Like last night, the flash lights were back as, "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" came on. At this point, Win said, to some extent, that this song will end the museum-ness of the venue. Surely, it did. Everyone was having an epileptic seizure it seems like, with their bodies shaking, knees buckling, and facial expressions that are just plain weird. Yeah, I was one of them. Win was really into it that he stood in front of the drums and climbed on it. The man almost fell over, nearly injured the drummer, and severely injured Bessy the Cow.
The last song played was "Backseat." As the song was ending, the group began their moaning all at once bit, then in funeral procession like fashion, marched off stage carrying a tambourine. A fitting ending to a fantastic show.
A fucking amazing show! So much show that I bought tickets for their L.A. gig on Sunday.
By the way, the awesome pictures above were taken by Sara. Thanks Sara!
Beer Rating: 0.0000000000000001 Beers
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