Sunday, September 29, 2013

Arcade Fire Brings Awesome And Bizarre To Saturday Night Live

Originally published on PopWrapped.  29 September 2013.
Photo courtesy of NBC.

NBC’s late night Saturday line up belonged to Arcade Fire and they came through in their own bizarre and awesome way.
Beginning on the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, the rock band was not only the featured musical guest but also popped up in a sketch and debuted two songs from their album Reflektor. Following SNL, a 30-minute concert special, Here Comes the Night, included even more songs off of Reflektor, which will be released October 29th.
Starting off the night, front man and woman, Win Butler and Regine Chassagne (also husband and wife), appeared in the sketch, “New Cast Member or Arcade Fire.” The Canadian rockers showed their humorous side as host Tina Fey had to separate the band members from the new SNL cast.
Then, just after midnight, Arcade Fire took to the stage to do what they do best. Amidst costumes of all black then all white, raccoon-like makeup on Butler, and Chassagne emerging in a glass cage, the indie rock gods debuted “Reflektor” and “Afterlife.”
The first song had a sweet disco beat and alternating vocals and languages between husband and wife. In contrast, “Afterlife” sounds more like the band’s usual releases but in all the right ways. I defy anyone not to tap their foot or nod their head along with the beat.
Here Comes the Night followed straight after SNL and not only included more from Reflektor. It also had cameos from a wide range of celebrities. James Franco, Ben Stiller, Bono, Rainn Wilson, Michael Buble, Bill Hader, and more all popped up for a moment or more. And still Arcade Fire continued to bring their signature indie music to our eager ears. “Here Comes the Night,” “We Exist,” and “Normal Person” were all solid songs off of the album.
In short, if you weren’t planning to check out Reflektor before last night, chances are now you will be. I definitely am.

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