Arcade Fire present Reflektor at Roundhouse
With their latest release, Arcade Fire proved that even an extremely creative band can produce a disappointing record – and it’s unfortunate that fans have had to wait over three years to hear it.
The question is: how is it going to sound live? The Canadian indie rockers are famous for their intense group performances with violins, horns and frequent instrument swaps (drummer to the guitar, guitarist to the bass, bass player to the piano and so on).
The Roundhouse double concerts are what their London supporters dreamed of: a beautiful, artsy and narrow space for their favourite act. The audience were advised: dress up, it’s going to be a special evening. The fancy dress fits with the 1970s disco set design, kaleidoscopic lights and the huge mirror ball.
The night’s opener is Reflektor, the song that defines the band’s current sound and embodies all the elements of their new direction. Arcade Fire are not a hit band, they are an album band, but the single is their attempt to go bigger without sounding louder. Its effect on the crowd is mild, and the reaction to the following track Flashbulb Eyes even milder.
It’s with Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out) that we see lots of jumping and sing-along action – the seated crowd standing up to dance. However, the magic fades away with the raunchy Joan d’Arc, and it only comes back timidly and momentarily with the finale of It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus) and the lovely Afterlife.
There’s one song that does seem to match the past works live and on record: Normal Person. However, the atmosphere calms down once again with a cover of The Clash’s I’m So Bored with the USA and Here Comes the Night Time.
A quick encore brings back a great concert mood with Régine Chassagne singing the brilliant Sprawl II off Grammy award-winning third album The Suburbs, but set-closer Supersymmetry smothers it right after.
It’s a bit irritating when a band has the weapons to put on a hell of a show but doesn’t use them. Arcade Fire are trying to do something different without succeeding – the new material is too blurred, long and cumbersome.
Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor
For further information and to order a copy of Reflektor visit here.
Watch the live performance of Afterlife at the YouTube Music Awards here:
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