My 12 Favorite Concerts - #1 Arcade Fire

#1
Arcade Fire
May 1, 2007, Atlanta Civic Center

The first time I saw Arcade Fire was at the Austin City Limits festival in 2005. I was up in the photographer pit for the first few songs, and the band started the show with most of its members singing a capella at the top of their lungs. When we had to leave the pit after a few songs, one of our photographers started babbling, "That was one of those completely transcendent experiences where you glimpse a bit of heaven—but I never have those experiences!" So when the snow kept me from leaving New York on Valentine's Day last year, 1,000 miles away from my beautiful wife, I was at least a little consoled by a ticket to see one of Arcade Fire's intimate kick-off shows for the Neon Bible tour at Judson Memorial Church on Washington Square. Win Butler was sick, but he still led his merry band of Canadians in a glorious ruckus. Like Polyphonic Spree, the sum is much more than the individual parts. Every bandmate looked like they couldn't think of a more fun thing than playing music at that particular moment. Plus, I can't remember a band whose first two albums I love more. That show could have easily taken the top spot, but I saw them again in Atlanta on May 1. Instead of being by myself, most everyone I knew seemed to be there. Atlanta's not known for packing out indie rock shows, but all 4,600 seats were filled—at least until Win invited everyone to come closer, filling the aisles. My publisher Nick Purdy referred to the show as "arena indie rock." One of the guys actually climbed the banister holding onto fans for support. By the time they played "Wake Up," I was ready to declare this my favorite show ever.