It's getting real, folks: after announcing that their oft-teased first new music in five years would arrive this Thursday (March 17) in the form of single "The Lightning I, II," Arcade Fire debuted the song live during their Ukraine benefit show in New Orleans last night (March 14).
In their first post-crypto gala live performance, the group played two additional new tracks in addition to the forthcoming single: "Age of Anxiety" — not to be confused with their 45-minute Headspace meditation app instrumental "Memories in the Age of Anxiety" — and "Rabbit Hole." While it was a no-phones show, Arcade Fire livestreamed much of it via TikTok, though the stream cut out before the latter new song.
It's also of note that recent essayist Will Butler did not perform, with Wolf Parade's Dan Boeckner filling in for him.
Naturally, it's difficult to get the full impact of the new cuts from these poor-quality live clips, but Thursday's single and last night's slow-burn opener "Age of Anxiety" both read as larger-than-life anthemic. Which is to say: Arcade Fire are officially back in business.
Watch the band perform "The Lightning I, II" and "Age of Anxiety" live in New Orleans below.
Arcade Fire's most recent album remains 2017's Everything Now — but likely not for long, especially since Win Butler says he's written "two or three" in lockdown.
In their first post-crypto gala live performance, the group played two additional new tracks in addition to the forthcoming single: "Age of Anxiety" — not to be confused with their 45-minute Headspace meditation app instrumental "Memories in the Age of Anxiety" — and "Rabbit Hole." While it was a no-phones show, Arcade Fire livestreamed much of it via TikTok, though the stream cut out before the latter new song.
It's also of note that recent essayist Will Butler did not perform, with Wolf Parade's Dan Boeckner filling in for him.
Naturally, it's difficult to get the full impact of the new cuts from these poor-quality live clips, but Thursday's single and last night's slow-burn opener "Age of Anxiety" both read as larger-than-life anthemic. Which is to say: Arcade Fire are officially back in business.
Watch the band perform "The Lightning I, II" and "Age of Anxiety" live in New Orleans below.
Arcade Fire's most recent album remains 2017's Everything Now — but likely not for long, especially since Win Butler says he's written "two or three" in lockdown.
