arcade fire 2.3.05

niffer, the roaming correspondent, comments on the show of the year, the arcade fire @ irving plaza. it's the show of the year because people have been clamoring for tickets and there are no tickets to be had; because kids are dropping the arcade fire name on blogs (i am guilty); and because they're really cool.

the unnamed song is rebellion (lies) ("come on hide your lovers, underneath the covers... every time you close your eyes- lies, lies"), and here are the unadulterated words of niffer:

i have to write this now because otherwise....well, i won't ever forget, but sitll.

i feel like i just went to see a troupe of magical musicians. there are eight of them, with two at the fore: a gentle giant, and his sidekick, a little nymph. there is something so old-fashioned, folky, earthy, and at the same time, ethereal, surreal about them. they are truly a band. not as in "rock band." as in a band of people, traveling menagerie in the spirit of years long past. i expected them to travel around in a wagon or something.

anyway, they had two magnificent violinists, and a bass, and the nymph/co-lead singer played keyboard, accordian, drums. they all rotated around all the time. two of tghe guys goofed around, climbing onto speakers, wearing those space age helmets at times, for the song, that has a line, "underneath the covers," one wrapped the other's head up while he tried to continue playing.

so it wasn't all serious, though the lead singer opened with something like, "we're from montreal, and i've just learned that we're (canada) joining you in star wars." he needed to say no more...i got them right away, got their vibe, got that they're good people, politically conscious, but not preaching it. they're like us. i would not feel nervous at all about hanging out with them or running into them on the street.

they played most of the songs from funeral, and a few extras. they came out for an encore.

then....out of nowhere, a white haired david byrne appeared (at first i didn't recognize him). it was a situation before he appeared that you didn't think could get any better. he joined them, they backed him as if they had all been playing together for years, as he sang, "home, it's where i want to be but i guess i'm already there." he fucking rocked. people went nuts, of course.

these group of eight were so human, so connected, so genuine....i treasured being able to hear them perform. they have absolutely no rock star quality. they make me reconsider every other concert i've been to, question the egos, the whole stupid aura of the rock star persona.

these people rock because they are true musicians. they have real soul, are always in touch with the everyday....i'm not describing this well.

i felt high when i left the concert. (i managed to truly be alone at the show, not talking to anyone, blocking out the annoying people). i was smiling, beaming. they just have that aura: they are singing about some sad things of course, but they are not bitter people, nor is gloominess their hook. they are enlivened by their music. i guess it's as simple as passion in its purest form. the only worry would be if they get sucked in by the bizness, but i don't worry about that. they are in their own category.

i just realized i payed more than triple the face value for my ticket. i got momentarily angry at the people who i bought it from, but then i let it go. of course everyone's trying to make a buck. maybe they think i'm naive, they ripped me off. but i knew what i was doing. i only wish people couldn't sell anything up. ever. yeah, it was worth it to me to pay that much to see this band, but i wish the money could have gone to the band....well, i'm sure they're doing all right these days. anyway, the whole money thing is really stupid. it's just paper. it really has no meaning.

this band, however, means a lot. they run deep without being sappy at all. they are honest without pushing their honestly too far so that it becomes ego. they are true performers, meant to be onstage. you can tell that to them music is about sharing with a group of listeners, participants. then it all can circle back on itself...that is the beauty of humankind, that it has the potential to become an endless chain of souls, no longer individuals, never alone. listening to this band, i felt, i am not alone anymore.

the lyrics to rebellion (lies), from the arcade fire album funeral, taken from poplyrics:

Rebellion (Lies)

Sleeping is giving in,
no matter what the time is.
Sleeping is giving in,
so lift those heavy eyelids.

People say that you'll die
faster than without water.
But we know it's just a lie,
scare your son, scare your daughter.

People say that your dreams
are the only things that save ya.
Come on baby in our dreams,
we can live our misbehavior.

Every time you close your eyes
Lies, Lies!

People try and hide the night
underneath the covers.
People try and hide the light
underneath the covers.

Come on hide your lovers
underneath the covers,
come on hide your lovers
underneath the covers.

Hidin' from your brothers
underneath the covers,
come on hide your lovers
underneath the covers.

People say that you'll die
faster than without water,
but we know it's just a lie,
scare your son, scare your daughter,

Scare your son, scare your daughter.

Now here's the sun, it's alright! (Lies!)
Now here's the moon, it's alright! (Lies!)
Now here's the sun, it's alright! (Lies!)
Now here's the moon it's alright (Lies!)

But every time you close your eyes. (Lies!)