“By rights, Arcade Fire should be one of the biggest bands in the world and musically are more than capable of filling stadiums. Having so many members on stage should allow them to make a massive sound but there is a spirit and warmth that comes from the show that manages to transcend pure numbers of people. Of course, they don't play by the rules expected of such bands so they probably won't make it to the stadium filling events they are capable of, but that doesn't mean they are any less beguiling or wonderful. In fact, in a way, it makes them even more amazing.” R13 reviewer Andy Reilly.
We’ve picked Arcade Fire to be part of our look back at the bands which shaped our year, because, although Wembley is still some way off, they headlined a festival and played arenas, despite, or perhaps oddly due to, not being an act to pick up massive radio play, even though they had a number 2 selling album. Lack of commercial appeal can lead to a stronger sence of fan unity, something instantly noticeable when you go and see this lot live.
Twelve months ago
we were reportingthe very unsurprising news that a week of Arcade Fire shows at tiny London venues for January and February, had sold out in seconds. There was also the even less surprising addition to the tale, that tickets could be bought online for several grand.
More dates in early 2007 would follow, all in anticipation of the band’s new album ‘Neon Bible’. We got our first taste of this new material as the band’s tour
hit Glasgow.
The album’s first single, ‘Keep The Car Running’ did pick up a reasonable amount of radio play, and would later be covered by the Foo Fighters as they headlined the V Festival. Dave Grohl described the song in a Radio 1 interview as one he had to listen to every morning.
On March 11 ‘Neon Bible’ was held off the top of the album chart by the Kaiser Chiefs. Our editor Jo Vallance is a massive fan of the record, be warned, she likes the use of long words:
“The special allure of Arcade Fire's second album comes from the same intoxicating blend of diverse instrumentation and mellifluous vocals, always aspiring to something greater and never falling short of sublime. 'Neon Bible' offers rousing anthems and introspective refrains aplenty.”
Arcade Fire were never far away from UK fields in the summer of 2007. They played immediately below the Chili Peppers at Reading and
Leeds, as well as sets at Glastonbury and T in the Park, but it was Latitude which was the most significant.
Arcade Fire topped the bill for the first time at a UK festival, joining Damien Rice and The Good, The Bad and The Queen in Suffolk.
Click here
To read the review of the set which drew the biggest crowd of the weekend.
They returned for yet more live action this autumn, and although their graduation to arenas might not have seen them reach the dizzy heights of their outdoor adventures,
it’s clear from this review of the Glasgow SECC show that the marker was left to ensure Arcade Fire can rightly be considered as one of the bands of 2007.
Click here for the other bands featured.