Arcade Fire aims to rekindle the Olympia Theatre's glory.
The Return of Arcade Fire Under a Pink Elephant's Shadow
Tuesday saw a packed Olympia concert hall for the long-awaited return of Arcade Fire. Just ten days away from the launch of their seventh album, the strangely named Pink Elephant, this concert featured a performance of the entire album, followed by fan favorites. But amidst the excitement, the allegations against frontman Win Butler cast a pink elephant-shaped shadow.
As the musicians took the stage after a brief intermission, the audience's anticipation skyrocketed. The first half of the concert showcased the new album's tracks, apart from the two singles, Pink Elephant and Year of the Snake, which had been previously released. The audience savored these new tunes, even if they weren't as soaring as Arcade Fire's early works.
Reunions with cherished repertoire, like "Ready to Start" and "Rebellion (Lies)," felt fresh, sporting a different sound reflecting the absence of founding members Will Butler and Richard Reed Parry. In their stead, Arcade Fire has delved deeper into synths and rhythmic sequences, transforming their sound.
But the real beast in the room was the pink elephant. The sexual misconduct allegations against Win Butler are still resonating with longtime fans, three years after Pitchfork's revelations. No charges were brought against Butler, who stated that the relationships were consensual in a public statement. However, the allegations have left some fans uncomfortable and questioning whether they should separate the artist from the art.
With Pink Elephant being the first album since the allegations, it will be impossible not to juxtapose the man and his actions with the music. Some might see the album's title as a reference to this elephantine situation. When Pink Elephant drops on May 9, we'll dive deep into the lyrics, searching for allusions, reflections, and quiet rebukes.
The night was filled with music that spoke louder than words. The performance opened with a lengthy instrumental introduction, leading to the title track of the album. After the singles, fans were treated to an all-new soundscape. Some songs, like Circle of Trust, were adorned with synths and evoked the danceable synth-pop of New Order, while Alien Nation was rhythmic and energetic. The set maintained a surprising dance-infused energy that had already flirted with disco in Reflektor.
However, some tracks, like Stuck in My Head, tried to rekindle the rock flame of Funeral and The Suburbs, but fell short. Arcade Fire would be performing again at the Théâtre Olympia, with the album hitting shelves on May 9. They would also be appearing on Saturday Night Live the day after, broadcast live on NBC.
Related Reading:
- Arcade Fire signe leur retour avec un nouveau single (FR)
- Arcade Fire singer denies sexual assault allegations
- Review | The Extinguished Flame of Arcade Fire
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- The surprising dance-infused energy of the concert, with its synth-heavy tracks and rhythmic sequences, aimed to integrate the entertainment value into the music, as evidenced in songs like Circle of Trust and Alien Nation.
- Yet, the pink elephant's shadow loomed over the night, as fans questioned whether they should separate the artist from the art, given the allegations against frontman Win Butler three years prior.
- Despite the new direction in the music, some tracks, like Stuck in My Head, seemed to yearn for the characteristic rock intensity of past albums, such as Funeral and The Suburbs.
- With the concert over, the audience awaited the release of Pink Elephant, Arcade Fire's new album, scheduled for May 9, hoping to uncover any relating allusions, reflections, or quiet rebukes amidst the music.
