Mi Viaje

THE ARCADE FIRE SETS PORTLAND AFLAME!

On Tuesday night (the 20th), The Arcade Fire played at the Crystal Ballroom here in Portland. The Arcade Fire is veritably one of my favorite bands, and will probably be remembered by posterity as one of the best and most important bands of their time. Or so say I.

I had seen the Arcade Fire once before at the Sasquatch Festival this summer, but then I was about 1/2 mile away and each band member was about the size of an ant. Yesterday, for most of the show, I was about 20 feet away from each band member. It was a pleasure to be so close.

AND THEN, after the encore the entire band (or most of it... I think there are about 9 members) marched off the stage and through the crowd. They walked past right beside me, brushing my shoulders. I made eye contact with each band member and gave each a wink. They continued marching out of the venue, still playing their instruments and right out onto Burnside Street in downtown Portland. I was incredibly fortunate enough to have brought my camera!! As they played in the middle of the street, surrounded by fans and blocking traffic, I snapped photos and even took a video!

The first picture shows three band members (the guys in suits) playing. The second is the OH-SO-LOVELY Regine Chassagne, who is the accordionist, occasional keyboarder, singer, and writer of my favorite Arcade Fire song, "Haiti". The third shows some more of the band (in suits) and the crowd, as well as the Everyday Music record store sign and the 405 freeway entrance sign in the background.

AND HERE IS THE VIDEO!!! IT'S AMAZING! WATCH IT!!