The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Originally posted by bigyellow100:
this is my first arcade fire show.

they better be worth all the hype live.

if not, what? you're going to kick their asses?

i saw them last weekend in indio - they sounded amazing. i think you're pretty safe letting your hopes fly, they certainly lived up to the hype for me. i'm really kicking myself that i can't make this show. should be a great performance.

Did I tell you guys already that this band just doesn't do it for me?

Duly noted. And we care….we really, REALLY do.

Anyway, how about the National? I am only familiar with a couple songs, and I dig them, but are they a decent live band? I don't want to go through what I did with Viva Voce opening for the Shins. That was SO painful. Even after a walk, it still felt like they were on for an eternity.

I have one National album. A bit like the Tindersticks. Some boardies will tell you they're better than Jesus Christ. They're good, but not great, at least on record. Better than Viva Voce, for sure anyway.

Originally posted by bearman:
Duly noted. And we care….we really, REALLY do.

Anyway, how about the National? I am only familiar with a couple songs, and I dig them, but are they a decent live band? I don't want to go through what I did with Viva Voce opening for the Shins. That was SO painful. Even after a walk, it still felt like they were on for an eternity.

Originally posted by sweetcell:

Originally posted by bigyellow100:
this is my first arcade fire show.

they better be worth all the hype live.

if not, what? you're going to kick their asses?

well i do fight a lot. i figure i can take at least 5 of them. dunno about that crazy percussionist though. he might be a little to fiesty to take at the same time.

It will be my 7th time seeing them but I'm worried that their big sound might not translate very well with the venue (we'll see).

I've only seen them at Coachella in 2005, and they exceeded my already high expectations at that time.

I have not been able to get into Neon Bible near as much as the first album though. I'm hoping the songs will be better live and thus improving the album for me.

And did I mention that I got front row for this show? :D

Does anyone know if the 8 PM time for tonight's show at DAR is the time doors open, or if it's when they go on? I haven't been to a show at DAR in eons and I won't be able to get there til a little after 8… don't want to miss anything!

7 pm – Doors
8 pm – National
9:15 pm – Arcade Fire

Haven't been to a show at DAR in a long time. Do they serve drinks? Can you drink at your seat? Can you have any kind of beverage at your seat? For a band like AF, are people going to be sitting the whole time? Anyone remember what parking is like in the neighborhood?

Very sorry if these have been discussed to death, but am just realizing that I can't fall back on my 9:30 or BC routine. I got that shit down to a science.

Thanks again Sweetcell for the ticket.

yes, drinks are served - two bars upstairs, one downstairs. walk around to see which once has a shorter line.

no drinks at seat, must be finished in hallway/downstairs before entering the performance hall. gotta protect the pretty carpet in there.

i'd expect that everyone in the orchestra will be standing, and that the majority of people in the side (tiered) seating will be sitting… that's generally how things go for most shows. then again people are pretty excited aboutt his show, so everyone just might be standing.

parking: there is street parking, but it might fill up eventually on a friday night with a sold-out show. get there on the early side, and i'd recommend trying west of the venue, in the side-streets around the GW campus.

FYI, Orch row B seat 121 will most probably remain empty tonight. just sayin'.

Holy. Crap.

Yeah, that is pretty much my summary. Here's the setlist:

Black Mirror
No Cars Go
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
Haiti
Black Wave/Bad Vibrations
Neon Bible
Windowstill
The Well and the Lighthouse
Ocean of Noise
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
Keep the Car Running
——————–
Intervention
Wake Up

I made it to the front row, which made the whole experience pretty exceptional. Fun, fun, and more fun. Hope that everyone had a great time too.

Wow!@!. It is possible to have an amazing time at DAR! Sound was flawless! This is probably the best Arcade Fire show I've seen AND the best so far this year.

Just a stunning show. And not just by the Arcade Fire, the National kicked some serious ass. Made a fan out of a few people who hadn't even heard of them before Friday.

Agreed. What a terrific show on all counts!

A friend of mine who I was with has been having a really tough time as of late…hates his job, owed a ridiculous amount of money in taxes, etc. etc. etc. He didn't have a very good day yesterday, but by the time he walked out of that show he was on cloud 9. THey are so powerful. I was hoping for a good show, but was pleasantly surprised to get one that was fantastic. Bombay, what did you think of the show? Sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye afterwards, I turned around and everyone was kicked out of the venue.

I agree 100% with the above comments. I was a little dissapointed with Neon Bible, but played live they took it to a new level. And the songs from Funeral were fantastic! First time seeing them and hopefully not the last. I was very impressed with The National too, I may have to buy some of their CD's.

I thought they were really, really good. I don't know Neon Bible at all, but they convinced me I need it. The National rocked too. By the end of their set they definitely had the crowd on their side.

bearman - I'm glad your friend had a good time. It was pretty obvious, the way he was jumping around. :) I saw you right up at the stage. Slightly jealous, but I can't complain about my seat. Sorry I didn't hang around long after the show - It looked like you were going to be a while, so I left to hookup with some friends out front.

Great night.

What a show. On the way in, I wasn't quite as hyped-up as I was hoping to be. However, The National was really great. I didn't know anything, and they had me completely hooked and into the show by the middle of the set. I loved the way they won over the crowd, too. The applause grew after every song, and it almost felt like we might get an encore at the end. Really strong songs.
I thought the Arcade Fire set was even stronger than the 9:30 show. I wasn't expecting that, mainly because of the venue. We had good seats, but they were made better when Wynn invited the crowd down. From that point on, the front of the floor felt like the club, and the energy was incredible. I am really starting to feel that these guys are something special.

The nationals were pretty good. Arcade Fire was amazing. First time I had ever seen them live. Hope they come back to DC soon.