Arcade Fire And James Murphy Play A Trick On Brooklyn Audience

Montreal’s Arcade Fire played a gig at a Brooklyn artspace this weekend, where fans were treated to a set composed entirely of cuts from the band’s upcoming album, Reflektor, as well as some hijinks orchestrated by the band and their producer, LCD Soundsystem‘s James Murphy.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, venue curator Peter Hopkins said, “Live Nation told me they could have absolutely done this at Madison Square Garden, but they were looking for something that more reflected the demographic of the people who like the Arcade Fire.”

Fans arrived wearing mandatory formal wear for the first of two sold-out shows, where, after being let inside around 8PM, they were greeted by James Murphy, who bore an apology:

“There’s been a little snafu. We can only get three members right now. But it’s going to be OK. I’d like to introduce the Reflektors!”

Three figures clad in the Reflektor video papier-mâché masks then came on the sparsely adorned stage to play some reggae, before a curtain dropped on the other side of the room. Standing on an entirely separate stage was Arcade Fire in its entirety, launching into Reflektor.

“Sorry we played a trick on you,” said frontman Win Butler. “We just thought it was funny,” he explained to the partly bemused audience, some of whom had lined up for hours. After a ten-song set, the band left the stage with no plans for an encore.

Butler returned to the stage, explaining that there was definitely no encore and that a dance party would now take place. The crowd reacted with boos, to which the singer responded “If that’s a super bummer that we’re going to dance with you and party all night, then go home.”

Checkmate, Arcade Fire fans. Readers can check out videos from the performance and see the entire setlist below.

(Via Stereogum)

Watch: Arcade Fire Brooklyn Show – Opening Prank

Watch: Arcade Fire Brooklyn Show – Reflektor

Watch: Arcade Fire Brooklyn Show – Neighborhood #3

Arcade Fire Brooklyn Setlist

01. Reflektor

02. Flashbulb Eyes

03. We Exist

04. Normal Person

05. Joan Of Arc

06. It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus)

07. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

08. Afterlife

09. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)

10. Here Comes The Night Time II

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