This was the 5th time I’ve seen Arcade Fire in concert. The first was 9 years ago in the Walker Theatre, Winnipeg – a beautiful Vaudeville-era theatre that had a capacity of about 1600. Almost a decade later, Arcade Fire have become a globally popular act, and are now at a level of filling arena shows. Rexall Place’s seating capacity is 10 times larger than the Walker Theatre; and fittingly, Arcade Fire are 10 times as bigger of a band.
As it was then and now, I was front row centre, and was able to equally enjoy the bands’ energy and ability to play multiple instruments. My favourite songs that evening were ‘It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus)’ and ‘Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels). The crowd favourites were ‘Wake Up’ and ‘Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)’.