On Wednesday Margot and I went to the first show in the Highline Festival, Arcade Fire at Radio City Music Hall. Now I saw this band back in February when they took up a residency at the Judson Memorial Church and I think they may have been even better this past week. Now that Neon Bible has officially been released the band plays the album to perfection live. The songs were just unreal and they had so much energy. If you don't have this album you better get it becuase it is one of the best of the year. The band just exploded during the performance and they were not able to hold back from running into the crowd to join in on all the fun. This band is going to be the next big thing and they deserve it more than anyone. Win Butler yelled to the crowd at one point "there are about 4 security guards in this place everyone run down front to dance. what are they going to do?" Well turns out they'll kick you out. Security had a hard time controlling some of the rowdy hipsters and had to escort them out. While Neon Bible sounds amazing live the old songs really get the crowd going. "Power Out" into "Rebellion (Lies)" was just electrifying and rocked the building. During the final song, "Walke Up," the upper balcony began to shake and I had to hold on because I couldn't stand without falling over. Truely an amazing show. Read reviews here and here.
On Friday I went to Brooklyn to see The Mountain Goats re-open the SoundFix cafe. The place was pretty small and absolutely packed. The room was unbelievably warm and impossible to move through, but it was a free show so I couldn't say no. The set was comprised of mostly old and rare songs so I didn't know too much, but it was a good time none the less. Some of the songs he played were played live for the first time so that was really cool and afterwards whhile he was making his way through the crowd I told him "good show" and he repied with "really? did you enjoy it? good!" So that's always a good thing when artists get back to their fans.
Hot Tracks:
- Arctic Monkeys - "This House Is A Circus." These guys are back with a great new album just as loud as their first. They keep the enrgy high and people on the dance floor.
- The National - "Start A War." They just put out an excellent new album and opened for Arcade Fire this past week. The singer sounds a little like Morrissey and the violinist can really tear it up onstage.
