It was supposed to be about Barack Obama. And ostensibly it was. Campaigners milled around the front of the Beachland last night before the Arcade Fire’s free show in support of the Democratic presidential nominee. Kids with clipboards, buttons, and forms hit up folks as they walked into the Ballroom. And loud, obnoxious guys in suits yelled political slogans (“We want change!”) as 500 fans waited an hour or so for the band to play. It was about Obama, but everyone – except for a couple of loud, obnoxious guys in suits – was there for Arcade Fire. …
This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 4, 2008.
You failed to mention that many concert-goers were recruited to go canvass (with the promise of guaranteed entry) instead of waiting in the rain doing nothing for two or three hours (the more popular choice naturally… it’s a shame that so many Cleveland indie rock types are too cool to admit that they give a shit about anything). Anyway, I saw a lot of excitement for Obama inside the venue, and even more canvassing throughout Collinwood before the show. We’ll have to wait and see what happens today to know if it was worth the effort.
By the way, the core of the band is from Texas – not Canada – which most local coverage has failed to mention.
I hate to break it to you, ebell, but Arcade Fire, though a large collective, are about as Canadian as they come. Some hail from Ottawa’s Canterbury High School and others from Montreal. No matter, they are a band to be reckoned with, and we Canucks are happy that you, and all Obama supporters, support them.
Source:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wbfpxqwald0e~T1