Arcade Fire, Diplo (Major Lazer) @ The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (22/01/2014)
The crowd creates a hall of mirrors with their dress, covered from head to toe in sequins and in some cases fragments of mirrors. Sitting on the lawn of Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the setting sun, the reflecting light creates a blinding glare to all who stare too intensely. Not many acts could summon enough of a following that they would blind passer-by’s, but tonight's Arcade Fire set was not a normal situation. After all, it's the first time the band has set foot in Melbourne since six years ago as an early afternoon act for Big Day Out. And a lot has changed in that time, but we'll get into that later.
Despite the gates swinging open at the relatively early time of 6pm and the first act appearing at 8pm, there was still a mammoth crowd awaiting entry early. Taking for what seemed like eternity, at last 8pm rolled around and Dj/producer Diplo of Major Lazer fame arrived onstage for his set.
Despite the heavy pounding nature of his set, Diplo himself seemed rather subdued, casually sipping from his glass in between relaxed shout outs. The dirty drops and signature honking synths divided the crowd, which would be expected for such an unusual mix of acts. Still, the crowd were seemingly unimpressed, if only because half appeared to have caught off guard. However, even if it went unrecognised, Diplo still pulled off a remarkable set.
Compared to the two hour wait for Diplo, the changeover breezed by so quickly that I had almost missed finding a decent place to watch from before they came to the stage. Arriving unstage to a rather uninspired version of Rebellion (Lies), the six pieces came out in now stick standard bobblehead outfits and my heart sank a bit in my chest. However, quickly the bobbleheads were revealed as impostors by the actual Arcade Fire, who after an onstage scolding, launched into Normal Person with all ten members juttering around onstage, excited to be back on our shores again.
A particular trait I was not expecting of this show was just how many portions of the set would herald so many sing-along sections. Despite coming in not knowing any of the lyrics when I entered, I caught myself chanting along nearly the entire night, albeit in a very butchered manner.
The quaint and humbled tone the band had taken last visit has long since been left behind for Reflektor, and the bombastic album's attitude has since been mirrored within the band itself. From the explosions of confetti in Here Comes the Night Time to the piles of instruments onstage. Even their costumes for the night oozed extravagance, with frontman Win Butler donning a sparkling golden jacket and frontwoman Regine Chassagne in 80's inspired fluros (and some fantastic pompoms).
Playing a relatively mixed set including a tribute to Australia's music scene with a cover of INXS Devil Inside, the strongest parts of the set definitely fell on the material off the newest album, Reflektor. As the lights reflected off the enormous amount of mirrors onstage, the band sped into the penultimate track off this album, Afterlife, which got every member of the crowd dancing and screaming. Butler hammered away this time at a piano instead of guitar, showcasing the multi-instrumentality that the whole band possessed.
Finishing up the night with Power Out off debut album Funeral, the band blared the unusually morose anthem out through the night. Closing with a bow, they quickly left the audience, who remained stranded in awe. Unfortunately, the sheer spectacle of the night may be diminished with all future listenings, but for now, it is an experience unmatched by any other. Well, at least until they visit again in another six years.
Ben Spencer
Check out our photos from the night here!
Despite the gates swinging open at the relatively early time of 6pm and the first act appearing at 8pm, there was still a mammoth crowd awaiting entry early. Taking for what seemed like eternity, at last 8pm rolled around and Dj/producer Diplo of Major Lazer fame arrived onstage for his set.
Despite the heavy pounding nature of his set, Diplo himself seemed rather subdued, casually sipping from his glass in between relaxed shout outs. The dirty drops and signature honking synths divided the crowd, which would be expected for such an unusual mix of acts. Still, the crowd were seemingly unimpressed, if only because half appeared to have caught off guard. However, even if it went unrecognised, Diplo still pulled off a remarkable set.
Compared to the two hour wait for Diplo, the changeover breezed by so quickly that I had almost missed finding a decent place to watch from before they came to the stage. Arriving unstage to a rather uninspired version of Rebellion (Lies), the six pieces came out in now stick standard bobblehead outfits and my heart sank a bit in my chest. However, quickly the bobbleheads were revealed as impostors by the actual Arcade Fire, who after an onstage scolding, launched into Normal Person with all ten members juttering around onstage, excited to be back on our shores again.
A particular trait I was not expecting of this show was just how many portions of the set would herald so many sing-along sections. Despite coming in not knowing any of the lyrics when I entered, I caught myself chanting along nearly the entire night, albeit in a very butchered manner.
The quaint and humbled tone the band had taken last visit has long since been left behind for Reflektor, and the bombastic album's attitude has since been mirrored within the band itself. From the explosions of confetti in Here Comes the Night Time to the piles of instruments onstage. Even their costumes for the night oozed extravagance, with frontman Win Butler donning a sparkling golden jacket and frontwoman Regine Chassagne in 80's inspired fluros (and some fantastic pompoms).
Playing a relatively mixed set including a tribute to Australia's music scene with a cover of INXS Devil Inside, the strongest parts of the set definitely fell on the material off the newest album, Reflektor. As the lights reflected off the enormous amount of mirrors onstage, the band sped into the penultimate track off this album, Afterlife, which got every member of the crowd dancing and screaming. Butler hammered away this time at a piano instead of guitar, showcasing the multi-instrumentality that the whole band possessed.
Finishing up the night with Power Out off debut album Funeral, the band blared the unusually morose anthem out through the night. Closing with a bow, they quickly left the audience, who remained stranded in awe. Unfortunately, the sheer spectacle of the night may be diminished with all future listenings, but for now, it is an experience unmatched by any other. Well, at least until they visit again in another six years.
Ben Spencer
Check out our photos from the night here!