Arcade Fire Put on an Epic Show

How do you use words to describe a show that left you speechless? I can only start by attempting to explain why there are no words.

Before the show, I wasn't the biggest fan of Arcade Fire. In fact, I went to this concert more for Spoon than the headliners. But during the show, I realized why I had never really been impressed by Arcade Fire's music: because not even the highest quality recording enjoyed using the absolute best surround sound headphones does them justice. Their music on CDs and MP3s doesn't hold a candle to how mind-blowing they are live. It was so intensely satisfying that I fear no other concert will ever compare to the rich, full melodies they create on stage.

They make an atmosphere of such love and bliss that it could almost be described as spiritual. With everyone in the crowd vocalizing along to hits like "Wake Up" and "Rebellion (Lies)," it was quite literally like they were preaching to the choir during a fervent mass.

Despite that, they seem like a humble, fun group - all seven of them. They shot each other bemused glances while running around the stage switching instruments. Practically every member of the band sings and plays everything from the drums to the accordion. When the drum machine they were experimenting with on a new song messed up, they laughed it off and played "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)" instead.

In the end, I was wholly underwhelmed by Spoon, though rock they did - brass section and all. But the night belonged to Arcade Fire and their unique orchestral indie rock. There's really nothing quite like it. Even if you love their records and watching their Madison Square Garden performance on Youtube, nothing compares to the real thing. Trust me.

After having frontman, Win Butler, crowdsurf on me, seeing them beat a drum to its destruction, and after my ears had been treated to the most divine of hymns, I left like a loyal member of the parish: overcome with awe and devotion.