Arcade Fire kicked Belsonic 2017 off with a bang on Tuesday 13th of June in the new venue Ormeau Park. Fans have been waiting for 15 years for the band to come to Belfast but I think everyone would agree it was worth the wait!
Special guests The Kooks got things started playing a mix of old and new tracks. Their most popular songs got the biggest reception with the crowd singing and dancing along to Oola, She moves in her own way, Naïve and Bad Habit. A highlight for me was a solo rendition to See me now on the piano.
I saw Arcade Fire three years ago in Dublin but Tuesday night’s show was in another league. With a new album on its way in July they opened the show with its title track and new single Everything Now. Along with a few other new tracks the set included all the old festival favourites from their back catalogue. Tracks from the 2013 album Reflektor were crowd favourites including Afterlife and Here comes the night time.
Never ones to shy away from the political, Arcade Fire played their anti-Trump track I Give You Power. Win Butler doesn’t say much during their performances but he couldn’t resist commenting on this track, introducing it by claiming he was too “Harsh on Bush” in the past. This was met with rapturous applause and laughs from the crowd and added to the great atmosphere in Ormeau Park.
The set list was eclectic, just like the band’s music. Reflektor was like a mini-rave while Sprawl II showcased Regine Chassagne’s amazing voice. As expected the crowd went wild for The Suburbs, No Cars Go, We Used to Wait and of course Rebellion (lies). There are too many other highlights to mention, each track seeming to better the previous one.
The nine-piece band was on top form with instruments ranging from guitars and synthesisers to fiddles and saxophones; I even heard a cowbell at one point! They are well known for their impressive set designs and lighting and they didn’t disappoint in Belfast.
They played for two hours but left the crowd wanting more. On leaving the stage they promised they wouldn’t wait as long as 15 years to come and I really hope they keep that promise as I would go back and see them again tonight.
Review by Ahmed Al Sarraf