The Arcade Fire (Bottom of the Hill, 8 December 2004)

Believe the hype!

The Arcade Fire came roaring into the Bottom of the Hill last night and played one of the most, if not the most memorable, show in San Francisco this year. There has been much hype around The Arcade Fire, with Pitchforkmedia giving them an unprecedented 9.7/10 rating for their debut album Funeral, CMJ booking three shows for them in consecutive nights, to the New York Times doing a glowing review of their CMJ appearances. Thus this sold out crowd had high expectations. I, among some of them, had high hopes for this band last night, and was somewhat skeptical of how good they can really be. By the end of the night, the show was only a smidgeon short of a religious experience. If anything, I am a new convert to the religion that is The Arcade Fire.

This is how good The Arcade Fire were: they were entertaining during soundcheck. Yeah, that's right, soundcheck. Who gives a fuck about bands soundchecking with their tuning of guitars and their "Check, check, 1, 2, 3" ramblings on the mic? However, soundcheck was entertaining because it gave the audience member a sneak peak of what was to come. This small Bottom of the Hill stage comprised of a plethora of musical instruments from something as your common guitar (5 of them) and drums to something semi-odd like a bass violin to something totally uncommon in a rock band such as an accordion and a steel pan drum. You can tell that these guys are totally talented and that their music will be comprised of several layers of sound. Another cute soundcheck bit is when Régine, the dynamic and super cute percussionist/backing vocal/lead vocalist of the band would do the little "check, check" ramblings with the mic. I don't know why, but she looked so cute doing it. Finally, to add some character to the crowded stage of instruments and 7 band members, are the mechanical reindeer positioned in the rear left and right of the stage. Add to that a plastic calf taped onto the drums, and voila! You have the perfect stage for the perfect band.

When the band finally set up, they all left and then made their entrance at a little after 11:30. They started their set with an amazing rendition of "Wake Up." With each instrument played, the song had so many layers in it that you are virtually surrounded by constant sound. All the band members all yelled out the words to the song and their stage presence was felt from the get go, with each member giving it their all.

I thought there was no way they can keep up such energy, but The Arcade Fire proved me wrong. Every song they played, from the main set to the encore, was played with so much intensity and vigor that each band member was drenched in sweat (and that's not only because it was hot in the venue) and the violinists bow was so worn out that a new one was definitely needed mid-set.The Arcade Fire played all of their debut album. The band were at their absolute craziest during "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" where Richard and Tim put on motorcycle helmets and started pounding the crap out of anything solid with their drum sticks. I forgot whether it was this song or another, but even Win was playing with the front row by making a stabbing motion with the loose part of the mic stand towards two of the front row audience members.

Definite favourite tracks include: "Haiti," "Crown of Love," "No Cars Go," . . . fuck it, I like them all! Every single track on Funeral they played and I loved all of them!!! And some off their debut self-titled EP.

There are so many more details I want to describe, but do not remember which song it happened. For example, I believe it was Tim was lying on the ground with a tambourine and then he proceeded to try to smach Richard's toes with said tambourine. I found that hilarious! Or when the same two guys had a flag wrapped around Richard and then used that flag to cover their faces. Or when the hecklers would constantly say "We Love Canada!" or make Canadian references such as Degrassi Junior High. Or when Regine was looking rather coy and evil, like one of those little girls in the neighborhood scheming of something, as she was playing the keyboards. There was not a dull moment during the entire show.

The last song played was "In the Back Seat," which was beautifully sang by Régine, to an almost Bjork-like precision. Its lyrics really struck me. "I like the peace/in the back seat/I don't have to drive/I don't have to speak." That basically sums up my disdain for driving and how I love being in the back seat where I'm not obligated to say or do anything. Brilliant!

Easily the best show of 2004. This beats Le Tigre because Arcade Fire provided the entire package: great musicians, brilliant lyrics, awesome sound, and just an amazing stage presence.

Yeah, believe the hype. This show made history! This band is going to be huge in 2005 and I am one of the few that can say, "Yeah, I saw them in their first gig here in San Francisco." After the show, I had to approach Régine to get my picture taken with her. Luckily, Randy and Jason accompanied me. After that, I talked absolute nonsense with Régine. I was so embarassed!

BEST SHOW OF 2004! If you haven't seen these guys, do yourself a favor and do it. Then you can die.

Beer Rating: 0 Beers