The show itself was fantastic, roughly 8 new songs and 3-4 from funeral. 5 dollars for a can of bud light is not fantastic. Beer in a church? Wtf?!

Show was amazing! I posted a video on youtube of "black mirror". i have a few more clips as well. . . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-lueEq8dX0

there is no rule against christians being able to drink. although it does seem strange to drink beer in church. hopefully the church made some money off that. ha.

How was the seating set up? Was it standing room or were there chairs?

The show was amazing! Simply amazing! There were parts of it the crowd was so deeply moved by their harmonics we simply stopped in awe. I love them so deeply it's almost esoteric!

What time was it over at?

Absolutely great show. My only complaint (if you could call it that) is I would have liked some more songs from Funeral. Other then that I couldn't have been more pleased. They went on at 9 and were done at 10:15. As for the setup it was standing room, no seats. Having a beer in a church was a pretty surreal experience. Overall it was an amazing experience and Judson Church turned out to be a really fantastic place to see them.

but was there a special acoustic encore or what?

I love drinking beer in church. How else do you guys get yourselves to Mass on Sunday morning?

Show was amazing. They released 50 tix at the door. No outdoor/blizzard encore. About 30 people or so waited for a half hour, but the Arcade Fire never came out. Highlights were "Keep the Car Running", "Haiti", "Rebellion" and "No Cars Go". Best show in a while.

It was good... so good! Thunderous, beautifully layered and moving music. My ears are still ringing this morning. Again though... New York is such a tough crowd. He's up there trying to crack jokes and barely gets an audible snicker. But does get asked "Why a church?" ?????? Which actually elicited a funny wise crack about if we were uncomfortable being in a church and had a problem with high ceilings. Or something like that. No, most New Yorkers in general just seem to have large ridgid rods stuck up their arses inhibiting them from movement or expression of any kind... don't take it personal.

I also met someone who walked in with an extra ticket and didn't offer it to anyone. THE SHAME!!

I can't wait to see another. I'm giving the blister on my foot a days rest and then hitting Thursday.

The show was pretty excellent although the acoustics could have been better. A big cavernous room that the band did their best to fill. The usual hipster morons shouting out nonsensical things("Why a church"?-duh you dolt the cd is called THE NEON BIBLE) at the band believing the people were there to see these dummies in the crowd rather than this amazing band.

The biggest thing that nobody mentioned yet is the fact that the place was 3/4 filled. They could have sold many more tickets and in fact they did.
Yup they sold tickets at the door!!!!!! Hahah so called hottest ticket in town and you could walk up and buy them at the door. Bet that person who paid 1000 dollars on ebay is pissed! So those looking to go the rest of the week without a ticket, get thee to church

Good show. The room was a lot bigger than I expected. They also sold appartenly about 60 tickets at the door and it seems like they could have sold more because the place did not geel sold out.

the guy at the door told me the fewest tkts were released for tues's show, so don't be expecting so many door sales for the rest of the shows.

What time did doors open?

haha the Church has you all fooled once again

Standing room? Groan. I was actually looking forward to assigned seating so I wouldn't have to be pushed and smooshed and have my view blocked by tall dudes who shove their way in front of me 5 minutes before the show starts. :(

i waited for about an hour to get in, but ran into a friend who was about 10 minutes late to the show and just walked in and bought a ticket at the door.. good luck to all trying to get in!

Told you it would be 3/4 full, people. Also, that was my friend who had the extra ticket he didn't give to anyone -- I mentioned him yesterday, but everyone said it was a 'joke' just because I like W-Spread P. He said he literally could not give it away.

While there was no assigned seating I have to say there wasn't much pushing towards the front. At least a lot less then the typical show I attend. I agree that it seemed they could have sold more tickets I'm not complaining. It offered a very full feel without being overcrowded or too tightly packed.

>>"I love them so deeply it's almost esoteric!"

?

Are you sure you meant that? Maybe you meant erotic.

that's what i thought he meant.

those are some flash power team gloves she's got on there, "form of...a panther"

Any one have a set list?

anyone see those retards outside the church filming? anyone know what that was about?

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003545396

9 of the 13 songs were from "Neon Bible"

What's with the glowing clothes in those photos? They didn't look that way to the naked eye, even under the black lights.

it was pretty amazing. don't stand right in the center, the sound gets a bit muddy.

set list

http://www.slapyouinpublic.com/2007/02/arcade_fire_at_judson_memorial.html

Doors opened around 8. Door guy said the first person in line was there at 1. I think they played more than 13 songs. Great bridge between Power out and Rebellion. Sound was a bit off early on. Intervention lacked the emotional high I was looking for. Perhaps when more people know the words or in a smaller venue it will meet my high expectations.

It was a cool event to be apart of, but I don't think people should be all bent out of shape if they don't get tickets. Kind of like Raconteurs show back in April. The band is only going to get better the more they play the new stuff.

anyone know what time the doors open? what time i should show up to get my ticket and get in line for tonights show

It might have appeared 'not full' or not sold out...but maybe the church had a capacity limit?? Either way it was great not to be so smooshed in and have breathing room, unlike an Irving Plaza show.

So... the band was very good last night. However, WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH NYC ROCK CROWDS? I went up to Montreal this past weekend and saw the friday and saturday shows with some friends and they BLEW the NY show last night out of the water...

Was it because the band fell flat last night? NO. The band is definitely giving its all right now. However, the audience had ZERO energy!!! On the contrary, the Montreal crowds were clapping/singing along and YES!! actually dancing the whole show.

I know NYC crowds are always tough, but this was to the point of being an SNL skit joke. Let's go see one of the best live acts around and act like they are some typical new "flavor of the month"! WTF????

I hope everyone literally WAKES UP at the next 4 shows and realizes that arcade fire are actually one of the best live rock bands in the world and they should loosen up and enjoy themselves. I'm definitely a very big fan (saw them first time during CMJ '04 at mercury lounge) and have watched this band develop/grow/evolve into a really special band.

I just hope everyone realizes they are watching the next potentially great band when they get to see them this week...

I know this is a bad rant, but i COULD NOT believe just how FUCKING lame the NYC crowd was last night.

Enjoy the music and stop standing there with your arms crossed barely moving!!!!!!!

until next time...

I agree with the post that the crowd was barely moving. Power Out got the biggest reaction, but it was still tame considering the amount of sound and energy coming from the stage.

What's the camera policy at the church?

don't believe the overhype coming out of this show....it was good, for sure, but it definitely wasn't life changing (like people seem to be claiming) or even one of the best shows i've seen recently.

The sound was pretty muddy, try to stand off to the left or right to be more in line with the (really small) speaker stacks.....the band looked spooked (party due to, as bucket said, the completely dead crowd that just barely even clapped after some of the songs)....

What surprised me was that the new material still sounded a bit empty in places....I see "My Body is a Cage" kind of as an "Exit Music" Part Two, and if Radiohead can reproduce that song live in all it's glory, i shouldn't feel that My Body is a Cage sounds empty when there are 3 or 4 more members on stage that Radiohead has.

And god damn were they ever loose....don't expect a typical arcade fire show, it's really much more a rehearsal than anything else, which is totally awesome in it's own right....

The new stuff will sound fantastic when actually paired up with the Funeral stuff side by side and when they tighten the set up.......but these shows just don't deserve the hype they've gotten, so, for those going, keep your expectations low, and you'll have a better time.

I'm sure by now all of us NYers are sick and tired of outsiders ragging on our concert crowds. Dude, if you don't like it, get out of NY. We don't want or need your pedantic ass.

Oh, and maybe the reason why people weren't dancing and clapping and yodeling and whatnot was because... it was in a church? Moron? By placing the gig in a church I think it's MORE than obvious that TAF intended it to be a more moody/atmospheric show, and not one where you and your stupid girlfriend dance around and make out to... "Intervention."

Marlow-

What is wrong with you? I have lived in NYC for almost 7 years and have seen 100X more concerts than you... I think you are exactly the retard i was pissed at standing next to me last night with a gigantic pole up his ass! I know more about music and the NYC music scene than almost anyone i know and it's rather frustrating for a band to laugh at how weak everyone was at the show last night.

Congrats on being so oblivious to the exact point i was trying to make. I don't make out with my girlfriend at shows (altho she was with me up in Montreal) and you clearly are 20 years old and fucking cluless.

LATER.

"I'm sure by now all of us NYers are sick and tired of outsiders ragging on our concert crowds. Dude, if you don't like it, get out of NY. We don't want or need your pedantic ass.

Oh, and maybe the reason why people weren't dancing and clapping and yodeling and whatnot was because... it was in a church? Moron? By placing the gig in a church I think it's MORE than obvious that TAF intended it to be a more moody/atmospheric show, and not one where you and your stupid girlfriend dance around and make out to... "Intervention."

I agree whole-heartedly.

go back to NJ

or Boston...

"Marlow-

What is wrong with you? I have lived in NYC for almost 7 years and have seen 100X more concerts than you... I think you are exactly the retard i was pissed at standing next to me last night with a gigantic pole up his ass! I know more about music and the NYC music scene than almost anyone i know and it's rather frustrating for a band to laugh at how weak everyone was at the show last night.

Congrats on being so oblivious to the exact point i was trying to make. I don't make out with my girlfriend at shows (altho she was with me up in Montreal) and you clearly are 20 years old and fucking cluless.

LATER."

I would've completely valued your opinion if it hadn't been oozing in elitism.

TAKE YOUR HIGH HORSE BACK HOME

Can anyone confirm whether the last minute ticket deal was only for Tuesday's show?

if they wanted it to be in a church and not have people dance, why did the band have the pues taken out to create a GA floor space?

i don't think the "band didn't want you to dance! That's why it was in the church"! arguement is a very good one....

For those that were there last night. I am coming from Philly. Do you think it would be feasible to see the entire show and make an 1115 train at Penn Station? Due to the weather I really dont feel like driving. Thanks for the help

mike c - definitely feasible, you might have to sacrifice standing around afterwards for a post show lobby encore, but they were off the stage at 1020pm

and they wanted it to be in a fucking church because that's what the albums kind of about....ya know?

oh, AND they recorded their new album in a converted church too......

want me to keep going with the reasons why the "church = the band wanted it to be somber" arguement is ridiculous?

You should be able to make it..the show was over by 10:15 and the A, C, E train is right there.

Door guy said 50 were sold last night but that it would change each night. There was no set number of tickets.

As for the NY crowds issue. I have been to plenty of shows where I would agree that the crowd does suck. Last nights show I would not include.

Everyone was pretty jazzed to be there but it is hard to sing along when you don't know the words to the new songs. Apparently, most haven't found the leaked cd online.

Regine kicked some serious ass up there. She always looks so happy which in turn made me happy.

Can anyone tell me what time I should get to the Church for tonights show? When to get tickets? Doors open?

When I get my tickets do I have to enter the venue right away ?

i walked in last night and bought my ticket 10 minutes into the show. they had about 60. but once your in, your in, no re-entry.

Why is it that singing along or god forbid dancing is considered so uncool? On the flip side, why is it so offensive if some people don't like to dance or sing along and prefer to quietly enjoy a live music experience?

Personally, I don't want to hear the person next to me drowning out the singer with their tuneless wailing, but that's no reason to tell them to "go back to Jersey."

I understand that a band feeds off the crowd's "energy" and I agree that barely clapping is harsh. But I don't understand why such nastiness is warranted just because people express appreciation differently.

I love this blog so much it's almost esoteric.

Same story -- waited until they had pulled everyone in off the will call/guestlist line and then they invited any (ticketless) straglers in for face value ($29).

I felt very fortunate to have been there but I personally found the show to be very mediocre (nothing like energy at the shows at Webster or Irving many months ago) - the crowd responded to only a few of the new tunes which took up the large majority of the set. When the band returned to their 1st album material, the entire place lit up. I left with a feeling that the new album is far more mellow (at least live) and thus doesn't quite command the same response from the crowd as the earlier material. I guess we'll wait and see how the response is after people have had time to digest the new album....

I'm a New Yorker and I can only agree that NYC crowds leave much to be desired. Often seems like a room full of individuals worried about what somebody (perfect strangers, no less) might think of them. God forbid anybody act enthusiastic or...gasp...silly.

"I'm sure by now all of us NYers are sick and tired of outsiders ragging on our concert crowds."

You don't speak for me and the friends that I go to these shows with. We actually enjoy the music and let it show.

hey, did people who bought tix at the door have to get there really early?
any word

hey, did people who bought tix at the door have to get there really early?
any word

was there any merch?

yes there was merch.. t's for 25 and posters for 30 and i got in line at 615 and got in.

unimpressive tshirts and a $30 poster that was interesting but not $30 interesting.

"Often seems like a room full of individuals worried about what somebody (perfect strangers, no less) might think of them. God forbid anybody act enthusiastic or...gasp...silly."

That's true, there seems to be alot of that. But some of us are just naturally shy and reserved. It's not always a trying-to-be-cool thing.

Crowd behavior at a show phases me less and less. I am there for the artist not for the concertgoers. By now flavors of fans are in attendance, hispanics, me from NJ, others wasted, bloggers, sometimes I am some of those and all of those. The entertainment experience in which ever way you take it is your interpretation.

I overheard one of the guys working there saying that about 100 people didn't claim their tickets.

It was a great show anyway, and at least around the area where I was people seemed to be alive.

as a final thing i just want to say a) i'm not THAT elitist (however i do go to a lot of concerts and i'm not from NJ and i actually know a decent amount about bands, etc), and b) more than anything, i was upset because this band is trying VERY hard to put on a GREAT show but if the audience is mellow the band will react to that.

it's ok to be quiet at shows, in fact, do whatever makes you happy, but this wasn't some old jazz show, this was a ROCK show with pretty high energy songs/anthems that i thought would make people want to dance/get a little crazy. I guess i was wrong.

bottom line - everyone needs to stop trying to be "something" and just enjoy themselves a tad more. You're at a concert - not a fashion show or hipster convention where it should matter what other people think of you.

ok??? thx for listening... you can now resume your regularly scheduled programming.

The Bowery Show they played back in September or October of 04 (I forget which) had tons of crowd energy. I was a new fan and was amazed at the hole crowd dancing and singing along (something I had rarely seen in New York). Sorry to hear this isn't carrying over to their new larger fan base.

I got to the church at about 6:15 and had no trouble buying a ticket at the door. I don't know how it will be though when more people have caught on about the 50 remaining tickets.
I was pretty close to the stage, so I guess I didn't notice the rest of the crowd, but my friend and I were dancing and throwing our hands up. For me, the bottom line is that the arcade fire put on a wicked show. Why dwell on trivial details such as the frequency of hip gyrations from the guy next to you?
Also, to ease the minds of the thirty or so people who held out for an encore, they never came back out to play; you didn't miss anything. We had to go back after everyone had left when my friend realized that her wallet was missing. The security guards were very helpful, by the way.

Tuesday's Set List (I got one!)

keep the car running
antichrist television blues
black mirror
poupee de cire (cover)
no cars go
haiti
black wave
my body is a cage
neon bible
power out
rebellion
intervention
--------------
windowsill
the well & the lighthouse

NOTE: i did not have a ticket to the show but tried my luck and they sold tickets at the door. i got there at 7:15 and they made ticket holders and non-ticket holders wait in the same line. i was excited that they were selling tickets, but dismayed that the last ticket possible for purchase went to the guy in front of me. so i got out of line and tried to ask for extras and this didn't work out for me (it worked out for a few others though). but after all the ticketholders and guest list had entered, they sold tickets at the door for face value ($29, cash only). so all us ticketless fans got in and without getting ripped off. they let us in right before the band started (9:00) so it was perfect timing. the cold weather almost made me give up, but i'm certainly glad i didn't.

other notes:
-for being sold out, there was way too much room left. it was like having a sold out mercury lounge sized crowd in bowery. but the stage is high and b/c it's not packed, everyone can see and be comfortable in their own personal space.

-even as a big fan, i, too, was a bit underwhelmed. they only played 3 songs from 'funeral' and i really wanted to hear "laika." one was a french cover and the other was from their self released ("no cars go"). that's 9 new songs that no one's heard which is fine, but i felt that artistically it was a poor choice. this makes me really glad that i saw them when i did on their initial "funeral" tour and heard all of their gems in their full glory.

- this is just my opinion but i think that those that have seen AF before may agree that band's energy isn't as intense as they've been before. they're intense, zany performance seems to have dwindled, either tired or less hungry than they were when they started out. it seemed more routine for them this time around if not near mundane. regina was a happy little starlet and that was nice and win seemed a bit nervous.

-for those that always bicker on this forum about lame nyc crowds, your argument is petty and stupid. yes, a band feeds off energy or what not, but if a band wants to give it their all, that's still a choice they make on their own. it is not fully dependent on the crowd. besides how are you going to go nuts when you're hearing 8 songs for the first time ever? the crowd went especially nuts when they played their 4 old songs. we don't go to the movies and get mad that everyone else didn't laugh when you laughed or didn't laugh as hard. everyone reacts and takes in a concert experience in different ways. i used to think that if someone didn't sing or move at a show of even their favorite artist, that they didn't enjoy themselves but this is and can be entirely untrue. those that complain about those around them are seemingly in a competition with themselves and some other fickle folk in the same boat that want to believe/prove they're the band's biggest fan or the crowd's coolest hipster or concert goer. i went to the show by myself since i didn't have a ticket and don't depend on those around me to enhance my concert experience between the band and i. and i'm not from nyc and i am one of those people that get really into if moved so i can see how some complain about nyc crowds, but nothing's gonna change anyhow. you're going to see a band (i hope) and not out to find ways to feed your own ego and false sense of identity (i hope).

-i was very happy with the staff working the event and this is probably b/c since it's not a typical venue, the people working aren't the ones that work every night at every show and are jaded or short on patience. those of us stragglers were very appreciative that they sold tickets to all of us. everyone that wanted to go got in and there were no attitudes from the doormen or anyone working the event, maybe also b/c we were at church.

- the sound isn't the greatest but got better after 3 or 4 songs into the set.

good luck to those trying to go. it's still very much worth going but don't expect too many "funeral" songs and you'll be set. don't get ripped off by anyone for tickets, you should be able to get in...

sorry for being so verbose. happy commercial holiday of love.

i'm embarrassed for fans of this band

almost as much as i'm embarrassed for the band itself

I understand the energy argument all around. I didn't think AF had as much energy as the last time I saw them which was at Irving Plaza and neither did the crowd. I have to wonder though if it was almost entirely due to the set. While I like Neon Bible it doesn't have the same intensity as Funeral which could factor into the bands energy when performing those songs. By the same token while many of the people in the crowd clearly knew the new songs many didn't. I think not knowing the songs makes it harder for the crowd as a whole to get into it.

The show was good, but I was not happy. It's always good when people who wait in line without a ticket can get into a show, but this was a different story. I am sure they intentionally sold very few tickets to create a big buzz about the band. Everyone has been trying to get tickets and talking about how high the tickets were going for ever since the show was announced.

I was told that the venue capacity was 500 people. There seemed to be around 100 names on the will call list, which would make 200 people if everyone had bought 2 tickets each. And then Bowery made the big deal about will call, not transferrable, etc., which was another trick to make these feel like a Rolling Stones club show. Why were these even being sold through that crappy tickets.com site?

If they sold tickets for the full capacity, these five shows would sell out in a reasonable amount of time for everyone in the know to get their own tickets. Even after that I'm sure you could find tickets at face value or slightly higher.

Instead most of the fans have been struggling to get tickets with no success. And they got stuck at home thinking there was no chance, when tourists who were walking by were able to get in. I had to skip another show I would have loved seeing last night and lost $50 in tickets I was not able to sell. If I knew I had a shot in getting into another night's show, I would not have seen them last night and my friend could have taken someone else.

I understand bands need publicity, especially in these days of struggling music business. However fooling people and frustrating your own fans like this is the worst kind of publicity. I would have preferred it if they had a sponsorship with McDonalds.

I think it was the Stereogum review that said everyone was singing along to all the new songs. I wasn't there last night but I wonder what's up with the varying reports.

I thought everyone had heard the leaked album in its entirety already. Maybe me and my friends are just file sharing geeks. Neon Bible isn't as intense or moving as Funeral but I think it's still pretty damn good. I think it grows on you. The more I listen to it, the more I'm hooked.

Did they use the church organ or a synthesizer?

advice sought
i wanna go tonight, but i hurt my knee skiing. i am on crutches
are there lots of steps at the church?
anyone notive handicapped facilities?
just checking

can we get back to debating the laws of drinking in a church? that was fun. hand claps all around.

yah, more on church drinking.
so tired of people complaining about crowds.
stay home weiners
new york crowds suck. deal with it.
it's not even an individual thing- it's the collective.

also to the guy at the top of the posts bitching about a 5 buck can of beer-
where can you go see a show and get beer for less than 5 bucks?
isn't that the case everywhere.
or is it the can issue?
venues never give you a glass or bottle- wkae up cheap-o

stereogum was more concerned about kirsten dunst and a stroke being there, i dont think they really noticed what was going on. as someone who semi-prides themself on not listening to leaked albums, and waiting to hear them the order/way the band intends, i felt quite cheated last night. 9 out of 11 from the new one, 3 funeral. extremely disappointing. i was on the side of the place, and looking around, seemed like at least a few people knew the songs. definitely not all, probably not close to half. beer was expensive. but the whole church thing.. worth it i guess.

Not to be overly critical, but it seems like 14 songs, 1 hour and fifteen minutes is a little on the lighter side for such a highly profiled show, no? Maybe in May they'll give a little more. Headliners should be doing 2 hours min. This ain't the living room or the 9pm set at the mercury anymore.

"If you have nothing good to say don't say anything at all".

Happy St. V Day

Anon 4:29,
I pre-ordered the album, but when I heard it was leaked, I couldn't help myself. I was just too excited and curious. Besides, I knew I'd enjoy the show more if I was familiar with the new material. I'm sorry that you felt cheated, that really sucks.

Seeing a band pre-tour can be a little weird. I saw the Bravery a couple of months ago and I really didn't enjoy it. It was alot of songs from the new album and it sounded really unpolished. It seems like alot of people are saying that about AF. Anyway, hope you get to see them in May, post cd release, and have a better time.

Random question to any and all, did they do a bag search?

there was no bag search

and finally the above comment stated it correctly, this was a 'pre-tour', so all the sound and energy issues, those will obviously be improved once they get out of this practice session.

by the way, britt daniel from spoon was there. he was bolting mid-concert and then they started playing "rebellion (lies)" and he stayed around to watch, right next to me, and then bolted for real.

It's a pre tour for a new album people. They are doing this mostly for the hype and to work on the new songs. Get over the lack of Funeral songs. Every band plays their new album at the expense of older classics.

Britt Daniel!!!! swoon

Limelight/Avalon used to be a church and I know for a fact that crazier shit goes down than 5 dollar beer. What's everyone excited about?

BQ has some decent points about crowd response, but I think the real point is basically: if a crowd is into the show, it's more fun! Of course the band should be on point regardless of the crowd (though I think it's idealistic to think that's the case - wouldn't you play better if people were excited for you?), but I think just about everyone enjoys it more when, well, everyone enjoys it.

I recently had to work a hardcore/punk show. Not really my kinda thing, but I was totally impressed by how much the crowd was into it. Kids were throwing fake blood & confetti, moshing, jumping around and basically going nuts. I know, I know - hipster knee jerk says 'lame', but I would be lying if I said it wasn't a better show than most hyped blogbands pleading their cases to the arm-crossed masses.

My favorite shows are the ones I went to when I was 17 - when I would push to the front even though it sounded like crap up there just to feel the energy and feel the sweat coming off the musicians. It'll probably never happen, but it'd be a pretty cool world if we could all have that kind of attitude in our old and jaded ways.

1 hour 15 is completely lame. I also appreciate a crowd that isn't singing every fucking word at the top of their lungs. Hold Steady shows come to mind. There's a Greek chorus every night of Craig Finn wannabes who just have to drown the real Craig Finn out with their screaming. Annoying.

does anyone know if you can bring in your own alcohol?

just got back from tonight's show.

you EASILY can sneak in your own booze. no bag check, no security pat down. only a few security people standing around, mostly at the back.

i didnt get there until 745 and was not admitted, i was also cold and wet so i didnt try too hard after the initial cut was made, i may try again tomorrow. People who got in what time did you get there?

I got there at 5:30 and was the 9th person in line.

You could have probably gotten there at 6:30 and been fine.

It was pretty awesome, I had a blast. Got a copy of the set list and Regine gave me a rose.

Yes, I'm a turd, but I had a great time. So ppffttt.

i think ill try tomorrow again.

Arcade Fire
February 14th, 2007
Judson Memorial Church, NYC

No Cars Go
Haiti
Black Mirror
Keep The Car Running
(Antichrist Television Blues)
Black Waves/Bad Vibration
My Body Is A Cage
Windowsill
The Well & The Lighthouse
Power Out
Rebellion (Lies)
Intervention
---------------------
Oceans of Noise
Neighborhood #1

Full review, pictures, video coming soon
http://www.jonasbrandon.net

My Body Is a Cage from tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGzhb-2TnHo

I got on the line at around 6:30, and got in. Sounded like they were taking another twenty people after me. Expect to wait in the cold till about 8:30 if you are trying to get tickets. It's definitely worth it though. The new songs are great, even for people like me who hadn't heard anything yet. They aren't overselling tickets, so it's very comfortable inside. As for the crowd. Most of the energy was coming from the stage, but there were people dancing and singing along. Unfamiliarity definitely kept things calmer than usual. But to say NYC crowds don't dance is somewhat ludicrous. Anyone who went to the Girl Talk show would agree.

it's clear they are an amazing, unique band. but the show didn't work, in my opinion. first, the sound was simply unacceptable for a show of this profile and hype. everything sounded like metal hitting tin, and you could not hear a single word being sung or spoken. at one point, winn introduced the band members ... it was silent except for him speaking, and i couldn't make out a single name. and this is a well spoken guy, with no accent or trouble enunciating. no warmth or clarity to the sound whatsoever.

also, the crowd was about as dead as any i've ever seen. i know nyc crowds have an awful reputation for producing energy, but this was ridiculous. even winn berated the crowd for being 'so quiet' ... it was embarassing.

but the band was to blame, as well. the unique thing about an arcade fire show is the fans' almost ecstatic involvement with songs they've come to know so well. yet the band chose to focus the show almost entirely on their new material, which almost no one has heard. combine largely unknown material with a pathetic high school-quality sound system, and you've got a dud show. which this was.

plus, the bathroom situation was unacceptable. my girlfriend waited 20 minutes to use the only working toilet in the place.

show was fucking AWESOME. cmon people. I thought we all understood that these shows were a warm up for the neon bible tour and that theyd be primarily playing new stuff. which is my justification for downloading the leak, hey, i wanted to know the songs for the show! I'm still gonna buy the deluxe edition when it comes out cuz its a great freakin album anyway. anyway the crowd was about half dead but I sure as hell wasnt. who cares what anyone else is doign when that band is onstage. Win was sick and they managed to still put out better than most indie rock bands. just beautiful music which is what I came for. no complaints

Generally speaking, I think NYC crowds are much less fun than in other places. But you know what, I've never once gone to a show to see the crowd!

i have no problem with listening to new material .. bands need to move forward or they become nostalgia acts .. but make sure i can hear it properly through a decent sound system. and don't berate me when i don't get excited over unfamiliar stuff i can't hear. you know, not everyone spends their time grabbing 'leaked' copies of records off of some blog.

i imagine their webster hall shows will be better. webster hall is an objectively evil place, but their sound system is the best in nyc.

Webster Hall sucks and you're an idiot.

wait.. the shows in may are at webster? or are you just makign that up

write a considered, dispassionate opinion and you get called an 'idiot' by some 20-something know-nothing who can't have a conversation, and who won't even post his/her name .. there you have brooklynvegan's audience in a nutshell ..

I agree that Webster Hall sucks there is nothing more annoying than hearing and feeling some discotech bass thumping through the floor for the last 30 minutes plus of a show. And $4 soda water in cup full of ice is also bogus. It bugs!!

And Win is sick?? How sick? And how much did it impact the show? I'm going tonight after going on Tuesday so, I'm just wondering if there will be a big difference.

Regarding the sound, it is better in some spots than others in that venue. I was right next to the speaker the first night and I thought it was decent though it sounded better farther back on my way to the loo.

win's sickness didnt impact the show at all, at least from my perspective. he seemed to feel like the show was not goign well, at one point he commented somethign about "it's not too late to turn this around" but apprently he has been ill since before the london shows. he said a doctor had advised him to call the whole mini tour off. so. if you saw them on Tuesday I would expect a similar performance any other night

someone told me they were playing webster hall, but it seems the more popular rumor is united palace .. though i hear that place has seats.

United Palace was the rumor, but the latest rumor is Hammerstein.

Hammerstein was the rumor, but the LATEST rumor has them on the deck of the Intrepid.

Never before have I seen so much disdain for the fact that a bunch of white people were NOT dancing and shimmying about. The sooner we eradicate the whiteboy two-step the better our lives will be. Great show last night despite some technical shortcomings.

blah blah blah theyll never sell out hammerstein 3 nights etc etc

When is this going down and when are these tix going on sale. May?

No, this is brooklynvegan's audience in a nutshell: "Oh, I'm in a nutshell, but I'm too cool to call out for help, I'd rather asphyxiate here."

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2007/02/arcade_fire_is.html

"Caucasians Against the Further Degradation of Dance (CAFDD)"

As one who does complain about the lack of dance and energy in general in most NYC shows.... that made me laugh!!

asphyxiate: to cause to die or lose consciousness by impairing normal breathing, as by gas or other noxious agents; choke; suffocate; smother.

The sound was good where I was standing. Not Carnegie Hall, but hardly a "pathetic high school-quality sound system." I'm not sure how any Arcade Fire fans could not have enjoyed this show. They played enough familiar material to balance out the new stuff, and the new songs were immediately enjoyable.

was there a coat check? i'd wanna bundle up for a 2 hour wait in line... but would wanna enjoy the show free of all the layers

last night's show was stellar.

highlights:

-win threatening to walk off stage if the crowd didn't dance (to which the crowed replied to).

-more mumblings about joe simpson at the beginning of antichrist television blues.

-regine dancing during haiti. the best. to say regine has been KILLING it wouldn't be an exaggeration by any means.

-win mentioning that they don't celebrate valentines day "where I'm from," but "because we're here, I'm dedicating this song to my beautiful wife regine." (my body is a cage).

-win slow-dancing with himself during "ocean of noise."

-juno-award-winning guitarist richard reed perry screaming at the sound guy to turn up the pipe organ.

great show, mildly dancey crowd, sound mix ranged from stellar (no cars go) to muddled (body is a cage), but the dancing/sound really picked up towards the end. as an op-ed, two things: (1) i don't think the "crowd" issue should even be an issue. if you want to dance, dance - be in the back and dance, get people around you to dance - and if you can't dance because the people around you aren't dancing (and billy idol would agree), you're doing it for the wrong reasons. and too-cool crowds are a symptom of the genre of music, not new york. (2) the arcade fire is going to be as good of a live show as you want them to be, and they really do play their asses off. to disagree with this is fine, but to call them "terrible" is just to object for the sake of objecting: if you want a polished, perfect show, go see, i don't know, carrie underwood or the grammy's or something. don't come around our parts. asshats.

I find it beyond sad that supposedly smart, discerning indie rockers cannot have a discussion in a public forum without resorting to name-calling and cursing. it reminds me of 9-year olds who get off on toilet humor .. 'don't come around our parts'? who do you think you are?

the nytimes has a review up....are the acoustics really that bad??

EVERYBODY DANCE! DANCE DAMMIT! DANCE!

Now there’s a place right across town, whenever you’re ready
Where the people gather ’round, whenever they’re ready
And then the music begins to play
You feel a groove comin’ on it’s way

Are you ready? yes I’m ready.
You get yours, I got mine
For the monkey time, monkey time

Now this dance that the people do, don’t know how it started
All I know is when the beat brings the feel
It’s hard to get parted
And then the music begins to play
And automatically you’re on your way

Are you ready? yes I’m ready.
You get yours, I got mine
For the monkey time, monkey time

Do the monkey yeah,
Do the monkey yeah,
Do the monkey yeah, yeah
Do the monkey yeah, yeah

Twist them hips
Let your backbone slip
Now move your feet
Get on the beat

Are you ready? yes I’m ready.
You get yours, I got mine
For the monkey time, monkey time

[spoken]
Say fee, are you ready tonight?
I’m ready baby.
But you’re ready for what, fee?
I’m ready to do the monkey.
But are you ready for my monkey?
I’m ready, and my monkey’s ready.
Your monkey? ! oooo, you’d better put that baby on a chain!
Say baby, my monkey know what he talkin’ about.
Now stop it fee!

Want a whole lot o’ love tonight
Treat your monkey right
Want a whole lot o’ love tonight
Monkey time tonight

no coat check.

The Times nailed it on the acoustics ..

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/15/arts/music/15arca.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

from the center, 3/4 back, you could not make out a single word. perhaps this is one you need to experience from the front row.

found this note on a New Order bootleg from a 1983 show at the Paradise Garage in NYC: "This one is noteful because of the quotes from Barney. He slags off the NY audience several times for not getting into the show".

1) The shows are in a church because most of the album features a pipe organ. There aren't too many venues that have that...except a church.

2) They ARE selling tickets at the door. They did it for the London shows and postings on Craigslist confirmed the same MO for the NYC shows. On a whim, I got to the church last night about 6:00 pm and there were already about 50-75 people online. So the word is out. If you want tickets, get there early (4:00/4:30) and prepare to be really cold. The concert staff were organzied and kept us all informed on the progress, letting us know if we were in a "green" or "grey" area for likelyhood of tickets. At 7:30 they sold 38 tickets at the door. Then we were told we'd have to wait until 8:30 to see if there would be more. But just before 8:00, my section of the line was told there'd be no chance. So, I took my frozen toes home and watched ER. :(

3) The venue was not half full. The capacity for the show is 500. The shows ARE sold out. Assholes who waste tickets notwithstanding...

I heard they are coming back in May and they are playing SNL next weekend. So, I'll just catch as catch can...

I guess we were on line behind you. We got in at about 8:50. You missed a "magnificent" (quote from David Byrne) show. Sorry. How was ER?

thanks for leaving
enough people left that I got in.
never listen to the doorman

I absolutely agree about these shows and the lack of appreciation
I saw in general.
It's good to know it's not just me. Sometimes I think I'm crazy
because I think they're better than better than
[insert greatest band ever].