Review of Arcade Fire at The O2, Dublin on December 5th
Review by Tadgh O’Connor
Photos by Sean Conroy
I keep it no secret, I’ve been a bit of an Arcade Fire fanboy in the past. Since the age of 14 if you asked me who my favorite band was Arcade Fire would be the name at the tip of my tongue. Over the years there’s been a few circumstances that has stopped me from seeing them. Location, money etc. So don’t take everything I say as gospel, that 14-year-old fanboy is coming out a little bit.
As the band take the stage, in front of a backdrop of a motor-way overpass, they’re met with the hissing roar of a packed o2. The band start with the opening twangs of Ready to Start, the roars only grow louder. As they move on Win calls out to the upper tiers “Stand the fuck up” as the group embark on Month of May, with its blues rhythm.
Arcade Fire instantly cut through the intimacy issues of such a big venue and have the entire crowd under their pinky, singing along to every word. Richard Reed-Parry spins frantically wrapping himself in instrument cable. “If I was told I’d have to tell Dublin to stand up twice I wouldn’t believe it now stand up” Chuckles Win as his band follow-up with a treat for older fans; Laïka. Throughout Will Butler and Parry throw themselves about with tom drums. By the end of the song Parry is holding a drum above is head while WIll burst a hole through it, it’s still early in the night.
During “No Cars Go” the crowd don’t need to be told their cues, shouting along was called for. After playing ‘The Suburbs’ Win tells the crowd “I wrote that song about growing up now and not knowing why shit is getting weird. It’s getting weird because politicians are fucking you over”, this is met with a roar of approval.
Win explains that usually bands when they play two nights agree that “the second night was better” through the multitude of boos he jeers “then show me fucking something” counting in for a grittier Neighborhood #3 (Power Out).
The groups “last song” is Rebellion (Lies) which sees an erratic Will drumming whilst running about the stage. Injuring himself as he jumps from an organ. After a quick breather Will is back to provide backing vocals for the song, with blood dripping down his chin.
The band leave the stage for the ubiquitous false encore. When they return Win dons a Mandolin to play Keep the car running. Wrapping that up, the crew lug out a large drum. “When we first played over here, at Electric Picnic, the crowd were singing this before we even came out. I just want to thank you for that memory”. That mighty C chord rings out as the crowd’s rapturous screams bounce about the venue. The entire crowd in unison sing along with iconic chorus of Wake Up. Even after giving everything the band and the audience give it that little bit more for an jaw-dropping send off.
I do have some gripes. The venue was too large. Even at the front of the seating I had to squint at times. There were people walking about selling drinks as if it was an event rather than the gig. This is by no fault of the band but it did annoy me. A longer run of shows in somewhere like the Olympia would have fared better.
Despite this, Arcade Fire came with nothing to prove. They are already established as iconic figures in modern music, they didn’t phone it in. Giving every ounce of sweat and blood (literally). As I left I heard talks of “it wasn’t as good as when they played ____”. If this isn’t their best, I don’t know if I’d be able to handle it.
