Arcade Fire at Radio City Music Hall – photos + awards
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How did it even happen? Three nights of Beirut and three nights of Arcade Fire within four days in New York City. Pleased with the four shows I was able to attend, I suggest wrapping up this madness by handing out awards.
Best Performer
Arcade Fire’s Regine Chassagne for excellent singing, drumming and hitting of other things.
(Pictures and all other important awards after the jump)
The Indie Rock Star Award
The most coveted, given only to the championest of champions. This golden honor goes to Arcade Fire’s trumpeter Kelly Pratt, who happens to be the only person to have attended (and played at) all six shows. He performed with fellow Arcaders during Beirut’s Sunday night show, then rushed from 175th street’s United Palace to Delancey street’s Bowery Ballroom on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday night, he climbed on to the ridges that run along the walls of Radio City Hall and reached up to the balcony. As the audience roared to the sound of his unmicrophoned trumpet from up there, I was reminded of… the scene in 1994’s Lion King when Rafiki holds up the young Simba and the entire kingdom of lions roars!
(Remaining awards after the photos)
Remaining Awards
Best Leadership
Win Butler for enticing the audience at Radio City Music Hall to defy security guards and run up to the stage. To the soundtrack of “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out),” fans pushed through security posts and defeated the big men previously engaged in tidying up the aisles. Later Win apologized to the security, saying “I’m a bad, bad boy.”
Most Spirited
No one gets into the music like Arcade Fire’s younger Butler, Will.
Most Charismatic
Zach Condon of Beirut
Best Supporting Role
Jason Poranski of Beirut and Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire
Best Opening Act
Final Fantasy
Best Collaboration
Final Fantasy and Beirut
Best Encore
Beirut’s “The Gulag Orkestar,” with or without members of Arcade Fire
Best Surprise
Members of Arcade Fire during Beirut’s Sunday night encore
Best Visual Display
Arcade Fire had a fantastic visual system set up, in which live feeds showed up on the circular “mirrors” looking like flickering TV footage. In addition to several other cameras, there was one installed inside each of the megaphones used. However, Final Fantasy’s quirky animations made with layers and layers of transperencies were simply too delightful to not be given this prestigious honor. So he wins.
Worst Hype
“David Bowie presents…” (and/or the National)
Best Venue
Bowery Ballroom
Best Audience Participation
Fans getting on to the Arcade Fire stage during Tuesday night show at United Palace, which I did not attend
Worst Audience Participation
“Don’t ever stop!” from a girl to Beirut. “I’ll go further,” from a girl to Zach Condon.
Best Response
Fan: “Jon Natcez is God”
Zach: “Jon Natcez doesn’t exist”
Most Promising
Zach Condon
Most Consistent
Arcade Fire scores extra points for wearing the same clothes
Favorite Show
Beirut at Bowery, May 8
(ps. I was only 10% awake when I wrote this list last night (i.e. I was nodding off between sentences), so I’ve made some minor, minor undocumented edits)
Previously
May 10th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
’twas indeed a sweet show. but bowie should have come out. seriously. will i see you at Air tonight?
May 10th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
no air for me. tonight’s been reserved for naps and parks. so i’ll just have to rely on your report.