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Arcade Fire (The Reflektors) Live Review

Blackpool, Nov 27th 2013

Arriving by the tram with a Mariachi band in tow, Arcade Fire took to the stage under the guise of ‘The Reflektors’; a pseudonym being used to promote their fourth studio album. 

The fans certainly embraced the band’s request for fancy dress or formal wear; ranging from ball gowns and tuxedos, Venetian masks to tigers onesies. Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom was an ideal backdrop, the grandiose setting adding to the sense of occasion. 

As the curtain rose, we were greeted by the large papier mache head, from the Reflektor video, standing on the stage. ‘The Reflektors’ began to play Rebellion (Lies), taken from Arcade Fire’s self-titled first LP. The real Arcade Fire took to the stage, ejected them and proceeded to launch into Normal Person. As expected the majority of the set was taken from Reflektor, with some of the more established songs mixed in. 



During Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) the crowd come alive with the floor literally bouncing. However, such is the quality of Reflektor, that nearly every song is greeted with as much joy as more established favourites, with electric performances of Joan of Arc, You Already Know and Afterlife. 

Throughout We Exist the ballroom is lit up with a sea of light from the glow sticks we were provided with on entry. Sprawl II allows Régine Chassagne to take a welcomed chance in the spotlight. It is all too soon, as the confetti rains down from above and Here Comes The Night Time brings proceedings to a close. 



The expectant crowd, waits for an encore, and was not disappointed as Win, Régine and Owen Pallet take to the side stage and perform Neon Bible's My Body Is A Cage. Reflektor finally makes an appearance and they close with the Funeral classic Haiti; which once again has the dance-floor bouncing. 



Set List:

Normal Person
Flashbulb Eyes
Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)
Joan of Arc
You Already Know
We Exist
It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus)
Afterlife
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Wake Up
Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World (Ramones Cover)
Here Comes the Night Time
My Body is a Cage
Reflektor
Haiti

By Gemma Nanson