The Arcade Fire at Radio City

First, I should say that last night's AMAZING concert was my first-ever Arcade Fire show, so please forgive if I gush a little. Yes, the sound was a bit muddy on a few early songs (notably Haiti and Black Mirror)... and the crowd back with us in Row O was way too talky during the quieter parts of a couple of songs (In the Backseat, My Body is a Cage)... and the band felt a little sloppy at times (Neighborhood #3)... but these are quibbles.

Really? I've never danced and moved and sang at a show as much as I did last night. Never had such a big grin on my face for so long, never felt so joyous, never had so many goosebumpy moments at a concert before. If this wasn't technically the best show I've ever seen, it certainly was the one at which I had the most fun. It was a great night, and great to share it with my beloved Debbie.

The Arcade Fire is—and this is going to sound corny—truly a special band, in that they can consistently pull off these massive, beautifully constructed anthems with such genuine exuberance, honest emotion, even humility. That is exceptionally difficult to do (the list of bands that fail at it grows longer by the day: see the last CDs from Coldplay, The Killers, Snow Patrol, etc., etc...), but Win Butler, Régine Chassagneseem and crew again and again seem to execute it with ease.

Anyway, below is the set list from the show. Highlights for me would have to be the opener, Neighborhoods #2 and #1, Rebellion (Lies)—especially the way crowd sang the "woo-woo" part the entire time the band was offstage before the first encore—The Well and the Lighthouse, (Antichrist Television Blues), Intervention and Wake Up. That David Bowie didn't come onstage for this final number was slightly surpring, but not at all disappointing.

Keep the Car Running
No Cars Go
Haiti
Black Mirror
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
In the Backseat
My Body is a Cage
The Well and the Lighthouse
Ocean of Noise
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
(Antichrist Television Blues)
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
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Intervention
Wake Up