Review: Arcade Fire at the LG arena 8/12/10

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Toward the end of a momentous year that has seen them headline the Reading and Leeds festivals and their latest album The Suburbs top the charts, Arcade Fire take to the stage in Birmingham's LG arena 10,000 fans their witness.

A cold December night in the outskirts of Birmingham (or Bir-min-ham as lead singer Win Butler exclaimed) and a sea of people flood in through the gates of the large venue. Arcade Fire, having previously opened their UK tour in London's O2 arena on the 1st December for two shows, take the stage to their second venue.

The band opened with 'Ready to start',an up-tempo rock anthem off their new critically acclaimed album The Suburbs that seen the crowd erupt in a fury of excitement. Standing or sitting, everyone was on their feet in the expansive arena as the band announced themselves to the 10,000 strong crowd. The bands set up was extremely impressive with a drive in cinema type screen gazing out above them as artistic videos resonated the atmosphere further.

But it was clear that the music was the main component at work here; the group ploughed through the best songs off their three previous LPs. 'My body is a cage', 'No cars go' and 'Month of may' creating a festival-like atmosphere amongst the cheerful fans. There was a real engagement with the crowd as the husband and wife duo, Win Butler and Regine Chassagne, spoke to the crowd describing their feelings toward one of the last gigs they would do in 2010.

"We're from Montreal, Canada and that place isn't great" lead singer Win Butler said. He continued "But Birmingham, well, don't take this the wrong way, but it's no better". The gag received a humorous laugh from the crowd before he dedicated the next song 'Neighbourhood (Tunnels)' to the weather in Britain at the moment the song featuring lyrics such as "and if the snow buries my neighbourhood".

Toward the end of the set Arcade Fire truly took their moment as they played the ever popular 'Power out' coupled with hit single 'Rebellion (lies)' - the visual spectacle generated by the bands light backdrop almost competing with the angst rock sound bellowing over it. As systematic with most of their gigs, the Canadian group finished with 21st century 'Wake up' that seen the once formidable crowd, transformed into a sea of singing drunk fans with their arms in the air almost drowning out the sound of the band themselves.

A truly remarkable gig, the band looked genuinely emotional as they left the stage. Arcade Fire embark to Cardiff tonight where they play their fourth show of their UK tour before playing Manchester central on the 11th. They finish their tour in the Glasgow SECC on the 12th. If you haven't already, make sure you witness possibly the best band in the world live.

Review: Arcade Fire at the LG arena 8/12/10

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