Arcade Fire at the Bell Center | An evening between ecstasy and bitterness

Despite allegations of sexual misconduct recently made against the band’s frontman, Win Butler, 10,500 people attended the Arcade Fire concert on Saturday at the Bell Centre. The Press spoke to spectators, some torn, others enthusiastic, and witnessed the (very good) performance of the Montreal team.

No one was required to be present at the Arcade Fire concert at the Bell Center on Saturday evening. We decided to be there to report on this moment in such a particular context, to question the fans who had decided not to boycott the band, but also to talk about this last concert of the Arcade Fire tour.

For many spectators, given the difficulties in obtaining a refund and the near impossibility of reselling tickets, the decision was difficult: it was either to waste money or to go there despite his reservations.

“I had the thought [samedi] morning, testified Elisa, a longtime admirer, before the concert. I thought about giving up, not coming. I felt a slight unease with everything that is going on. I am for the victims. But we can’t get a refund. It is money that we lose. »

Beside her, James, an equally Arcade Fire fan, added: “Tonight is not going to be like the other times. I want to see them, I still love their music, but it’s hard to put everything else down. But I’ve been following them for so long that I have a hard time letting go of them too. »

“I said to myself that we were going to try to take advantage of the music as such, continued their friend, Chrislaine, who discovered the group last summer. The music they created does not leave with this scandal. Music remains a heritage that we want to keep. Even if… It can send a bad message to be there and to encourage this singer. »

Vivid emotions

Thus some people, among the ten spectators interviewed by The Press, arrived at the Arcade Fire concert backwards. For others, it was never a question of not being there.

“There was no evidence, just the accusations. I wasn’t going to get my money back. I paid for it and I’m going, ”launched Jean-François Larochelle, who had bought tickets to surprise his wife (whose birthday it was on Saturday) and his friend. Neither of them even knew (until we informed them) that Win Butler had been reported for misconduct.

“Without endorsing his behavior, I find that there is a difference between the person and the band that we have loved for years, for his part affirmed François René, surrounded by his band of friends. This is the show of my life and I wouldn’t have missed it for that. I like their music and I like their message, even if there is now a stain on the image we had of the person. »

To his right, Étienne said the group had thought long and hard. “Emotions ran high when the allegations came out,” he said. If there had been accusations, the show would have been canceled. We’ll see if there will be. But we, today, we are happy to be here. »

The scandal

So it was the return of the prodigal sons to the city where they were born, for the last stop of their world tour, WE.

Arcade Fire was musically flawless. He presented a concert worthy of his reputation, skilfully drawing from his splendid repertoire, interpreting his songs with emotion and accuracy, for two hours.

The members were on stage in the metropolis last summer alone, in Osheaga, welcomed as usual by a public who venerates them, just after the release of this generally well-received new album. This time it was different. Meanwhile, in August, the article in the American magazine pitchfork revealed allegations of inappropriate behavior by Win Butler. The one the world knew as a man with a big heart allegedly committed sexual misconduct towards four people.

Rather than withdraw, Butler embarked on this tour with his band, which began three days after the publication of the investigation. He denied making any gestures without the consent of those involved. Régine Chassage, co-leader of the group and wife of Win Butler, affirmed that she supported her husband. No member then said anything more about the case and nothing was added during the concert on Saturday.

Queen Regine

In fact, very few words were spoken other than the lyrics of the songs during this homecoming. Maybe it was better that way.

Large arches overlooked the main stage of the Bell Centre. A huge disco ball was spinning above the second, in the center of the floor. They kicked off the show on this stage with the play Tunnels, which allowed them to arrive through the crowd, followed by a single beam of light, Win taking the time to clap his hands, to greet his audience. The spectators stood up. To see better, to dance better, but also, it seemed, to give the group a standing ovation.

Then, another round on the floor, to go to the big stage this time. The arcs have become an iris, making the scene a pupil. The group sang the wonderful Age of Anxiety. Régine Chassagne, sometimes at the microphone in front of the stage, sometimes behind her drums, and other times at the piano, was the one from whom we could not take our eyes off. Even when, during the mighty My Body is Cage, Butler climbed on the organ on which his wife was seated, whom he threw on his knees for more intensity, which he stamped with his foot while singing very high, it was Régine who shone. When she put on her sparkling raincoat, dancing merrily on Reflector, she hypnotized us. And we had eyes only for her when it was her turn to get on the piano, to dance in the crowd, when it was time to interpret Sprawl.

For his part, throughout the evening, Win Butler proved himself worthy of his role as leader, bringing mad energy to his performance.

Electrifying… and heavy

But now, there was a malaise at the Bell Center. An elephant in the room that even the band’s musical prowess couldn’t make us forget. The triumphant moment that we would have envisioned after the performance in Osheaga didn’t really happen. A cloud hovered, even if some could momentarily ignore it by letting themselves be carried away by the music.

It is not for lack of having tried, of having given everything. Despite the empty seats and the floor two-thirds full, and even if the aura of Win Butler is tarnished, Arcade Fire remained majestic. The directing and production, without great artifice, but just grandiose enough, did a lot to make the moment dazzling.

The public response was strong. The band’s remaining fans shouted, clapped and danced. They yelled “lies, lies!” » repeatedly during Rebellion (how ironic!). They sang at the top of their voices The Suburbs. They shook the floor by jumping during Everything Now.

It was electrifying. But, for many, it was also heavy.

Just before the show, Sarah and Kelly, who came expressly from Ottawa, told us all about their discomfort. “We bought the tickets in August and a week later we found out there were allegations,” Sarah said. We were overwhelmed. »

Seeing Arcade Fire live was on their bucket list, but the duo hesitated for a long time. “We thought we weren’t coming,” Kelly said. It will stay in my head. »

“It’s also really difficult because he’s only one person and you’re thinking about the other members, who are victimized by the person they’re associated with,” Sarah added, claiming to feel “in limbo. in relation to this story.

The last notes

Around 11:15 p.m., after a reminder during which sounded I will come back to Montreal, Arcade Fire reappeared on the small stage. A trembling and moved Régine told her loved ones, whom she saw in the crowd, how much she loved them. Then, the group served us three last songs: End of The Empire, Bird on the Wire – by Leonard Cohen, and wake-up.

Under the thousand lights of the disco ball, the concert came to an end, in a strong emotion that we do not know exactly what to attribute. The last notes that sounded in the Bell Center seemed to mark much more than the end of a tour.

Will Arcade Fire be able to fill an arena in the next few years? Will the Montreal team still exist after this evening? Nothing is less sure.