Arcade Fire at Bell Center | An evening between ecstasy and bitterness

No one needed to attend the Arcade Fire concert at the Bell Center on Saturday night. We decided to be there to question the fans who decided not to boycott the band, as well as to talk about this last concert of the Arcade Fire tour, to report on this moment in such a specific context.

For many spectators, the difficulty of getting a refund and the near impossibility of reselling tickets made the decision difficult: waste the money or go there despite his reservations.

“I got an idea [samedi] In the morning, longtime admirer Elisa testified before the concert. I thought about giving, not coming. I felt a little uncomfortable with everything that was happening. I am on the side of the victims. But we don’t get refund. All we lose is money. »

Beside her, James, equally an Arcade Fire fan, added: “Tonight is like no other time. I want to see them, I still love their music, but everything else is hard to pin down. But I’ve been following them for so long that I find it hard to let them go. »

“I told myself that we are trying to take advantage of the music,” continued Chrisline, their friend who discovered the group last summer. The music they created will not leave with this scandal. The music remains a legacy that we want to keep. However… to be there and encourage this singer can send a bad message. »

Vivid emotions

Some of the ten audience members who were interviewed like that Press, followed by an Arcade Fire concert. For others, it’s not a question of not being there.

“There is no evidence, only allegations. I am not getting my money back. I paid for it and I’m going,” began Jean-Francois LaRochelle, who bought the tickets to surprise his wife (whose birthday is Saturday) and his friend. Neither of them knew (until we informed them) that Win Butler had committed misconduct.

“Without approving his behavior, I found that there is a difference between a man and a band that we have loved for years, confirmed Francois René, surrounded by his group of friends. This is the show of my life and I will not miss it for that. I love their music and I love their message, the man’s Although there is now a stain on the image. »

To his right, Etienne said the group had thought long and hard. He said emotions ran high when the allegations came out. If there were allegations, the show would have been cancelled. Let’s see if there is. But we, today, are happy to be here. »

scandal

So it’s the Prodigal Sons returning to the city of their birth for the last stop of their world tour, We are.

Arcade Fire is musically flawless. He performed a concert befitting his reputation, expertly drawing from his vast repertoire, narrating his songs with emotion and precision for two hours.

After the release of this generally well-received new album, the members were on stage in the metropolis only last summer, in Osheaga, where they were greeted as usual by a crowd that respected them. This time it was different. Meanwhile, an article in an American magazine in August Pitchfork Win Butler reveals allegations of inappropriate behavior. A man known to the world as a man with a big heart has been accused of sexually assaulting four people.

Instead of withdrawing, Butler embarked on this tour with his team, which began three days after the investigation was published. He denied making any gestures without the consent of those involved. Regine Chassage, co-leader of the group and Win Butler’s wife, confirmed that she supported her husband. Neither member said anything more about the case after that, and nothing was added at Saturday’s concert.

Queen Regine

In fact, very few words were spoken during this homecoming except the lyrics of the songs. Maybe it’s better that way.

Large arches appeared on the main stage of the Bell Center. A giant disco ball hovers above the second one in the middle of the floor. On this stage they started the show with a play tunnels, which allowed them to come through the crowd, followed by a single beam of light, Vin taking the time to clap his hands to greet his audience. The audience stood up. To look good, to dance well, but the group felt like giving a standing ovation.

Then, another round on the floor, this time to go to the big stage. The arcs become the iris, transforming the scene into the pupil. The group sang brilliantly Age of anxiety. Régine Chassagne, sometimes at the microphone in front of the stage, sometimes behind her drums, and other times at the piano, we couldn’t help but notice. Always, in a powerful time My body is a cage, the butler mounted the organ on which his wife sat, throwing himself upon his knees for greater intensity, as he stamped his foot as he sang so high that Reginae beamed. Dancing merrily, while she wears a shiny raincoat Reflector, she hypnotized us. And we only have eyes for her when it’s time to get on the piano, dance in the crowd, understand. expand.

For his part, throughout the evening, Win Butler brought maddening energy to his performance and proved himself worthy of his role as leader.

Electrifying… and massive

But now there is malaise at the Bell Center. The band’s musicianship is also the elephant in the room that won’t let us forget. The triumphant moment we envisioned after the show in Oshea never really happened. A cloud moves in, some may momentarily ignore it by distancing themselves from the music.

For trying, not for giving it all. Even with the empty seats and the floor two-thirds full, and Win Butler’s glow fading, the Arcade Fire remained majestic. The direction and production, without great art, but great enough, did a lot to make the moment dazzling.

Public response was strong. The rest of the band’s fans screamed, clapped and danced. They say “Lies, lies!” » Over and over again Rebellion (How ironic!). They sang in their voices Suburbs. At that time they shook the ground by jumping Everything now.

It is electrifying. But, for many it is still a burden.

Before the show, Sarah and Kelly, who were apparently from Ottawa, told us about their discomfort. “We bought the tickets in August and a week later we found out there were charges,” Sarah said. We were overwhelmed. »

Seeing Arcade Fire live was on their bucket list, but both hesitated for a long time. “We thought we weren’t coming,” Kelly said. It sticks in my head. »

“It’s also hard because he’s a single person and you’re thinking about the other members who will be victimized by the person they’re associated with,” Sarah added, referring to the story as “understanding.

Final notes

Around 11:15 pm, a reminder sounded later I will return to Montreal, Arcade Fire reappeared on the smaller stage. Trembling and shaken, Regine told her loved ones, whom she saw in the crowd, how much she loved them. Then, the group gave us three final songs: End of the Empire, A bird on a wire – by Leonard Cohen, and Melkonuta.

Under a thousand lights of a disco ball, the concert ended, in a strong emotion that we don’t know exactly what to attribute. The final notes sounded at the Bell Center seemed to mark much more than the end of the tour.

Will the Arcade Fire fill a niche in the next few years? Will the Montreal team still exist after this evening? Nothing less certain.