Montreal’s epic rockers still have talent to burn

‘We’Ve played in London more than any other city in the world,’ enthused singer Win Butler as Arcade Fire began the first of three nights at Wembley on Wednesday.

The connection between the Canadians and their British fans was clear in an electrifying show that was more dance music rave than rock concert. The Montreal sextet are one of the world’s biggest bands, but can sometimes be too knowing.

Not so here, at a spectacular gig staged in the round and brought to life with lasers, dry ice, strobe lights and huge mirrorballs that conjured up images of fabled Seventies New York disco haven Studio 54.

Augmented by three extra musicians, the band worked tirelessly to engage. Introduced as ‘ heavyweight champions’, they opened with the stage laid out as a boxing ring, complete with ropes. They switched instruments. Butler ventured into the crowd. his wife Regine Chassagne (pictured), in sequins and jumpsuit, was a whirl of kinetic energy. With five albums under their belt, the band have an array of arena-ready hits. There was an understandable focus on last year’s everything Now, with the title track opening the show and Put Your Money On Me maintaining the funky tone. The only thing lacking was real contrast: The Suburbs was a rare moment of reflection. The party spirit soon returned, with the group joined by support act Preservation hall Jazz Band for a rousing encore of 2004’s Wake Up. earlier, there had been another surprise, with Chrissie hynde joining the Canadians for an impeccably sung and played version of the Pretenders’ Don’t Get Me Wrong.