the national & arcade fire - arras main square festival - 020711

with a massive cold all the way to france to see these two bands perform .. worth it, oh yeah .. do it again, oh yeah .. love is in the air, oh yeah .. around half past eight the national takes the stage, for a mix of high violet and boxer songs (six each) and three alligators, the old ones, were matt acts the weirdest, although nowadays he also does a walk/run in the public during terrible love, the end of their set .. leaving the band looking at him with a notion of, there he goes again .. fun .. and great music .. today three songs with richard from arcade fire on backings and guitar (go abroad to see the national, a guarantee to have some guest appearances) .. and then, during my favorite, a big guy with sunglasses joins on stage and sings along 'walk away now, and you'll start a war' .. everyone cheers, this battle is won (matt introduces him as mike patton from faith no more, one of his less inspiring moments) .. arcade fire should cover abel once, that would sound great .. we used to wait three quarters of an hour and then it was ready to start, to enter the suburbs, and join them on a tour through the neighborhood, where no cars go .. eight songs of their latest album, one that didn't make it, but sounds as great (new single speaking in tongues), three neon chapters, and six from their debut, still amazing to hear, see and feel these played live .. with the invincible duo power out and rebellion lies at the end of the set, after which they decide not to go away and come back, but continue playing .. i guess they enjoyed it too much, we did as well .. back home, between the click of the light and the start of the dream i was coughing an awful lot, but also so happy i saw these two lovely bands today, with this lovely company