After Arcade Fire sold out the Ryman in a flash in 2010, I had no doubt that their next visit to Music City would find them at the Arena. Such was the case on this recent spring night.
The pre-show advertising asked fans to attend in formal attire—some did, but as expected, most did not. I guess the same could be said for the night’s mixed bag of entertainment—some festive sounds as well as some drab and repetitive.
The dozen musicians worked hard to keep the energy level high for two hours. But for yours truly, the band’s newer disco-inspired music just didn’t match the power and passion that I saw rock the smaller Ryman stage four years ago.
Arcade Fire has a practice of playing a cover song with local flavor during each show’s encore. The Nashville selection of a lazy lesser-known Louvin Brother’s ballad was a big letdown. Perhaps something more lively and energetic would have sent me home in a much more favorable state-of-mind.
For more details see the Nashville Scene review here.
SETLIST:
- Here Comes the Night Time
- Reflektor
- Flashbulb Eyes
- Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
- Rebellion (Lies)
- Joan of Arc
- Get Right
- Month of May
- The Suburbs / The Suburbs (continued)
- Ready to Start
- We Exist
- Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
- Crown of Love
- Afterlife
- It’s Never Over (Or Orpheus)
- Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
- Normal Person
- Intervention
- Broad Minded (Louvin Brothers cover)
- Wake Up
BAND:
Win Butler—vocals, guitar and piano
Regine Chassagne—vocals and keyboards
Richard Reed Parry—guitar, bass, keyboards and backing vocals
William Butler—synthesizer, bass, guitar, percussion and backing vocals
Jeremy Gara—drums, guitar and keyboards
Tim Kingsbury—guitar, bass, keyboards and backing vocals
Sarah Neufeld— violin, keyboards and backing vocals
Owen Pallett—violin, keyboards and backing vocals
Diol Edmond—percussion
Tiwill Durate—percussion
Matt Bauder—saxophone and clarinet
Stuart Bogie—saxophone and clarinet
Music City Mike 