Arcade Fire recently commenced a series of live performances in Montreal and Toronto. The shows marked the first time audiences heard the band's upcoming album, Pink Elephant, played in its entirety.
The new album is scheduled for release later in May. The concerts allowed fans to experience the unfamiliar material live before its public debut.
These performances followed a period of reduced public activity for the band and its frontman, Win Butler. Allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct against Butler were made public in 2022. Reports detailed the allegations.
Butler acknowledged interactions occurred but stated they were consensual. The band has offered limited public comment on the allegations since they surfaced.
The recent shows, including dates at Toronto's Massey Hall and Montreal's Olympia Theatre, utilized smaller venues. The band previously played larger spaces like Montreal's Bell Centre.
The touring lineup includes long-time members Régine Chassagne, Tim Kingsbury, and Jeremy Gara. Win Butler and Régine Chassagne reside in New Orleans. Absences from the current tour include Win Butler's brother Will Butler, who departed the band, and multi-instrumentalist Richard Reed Parry, currently on paternity leave.
Concert sets for these initial dates featured the complete Pink Elephant album, followed by selections from the band's catalog. Songs performed included tracks such as The Suburbs, Wake Up, and Year of the Snake.
The concerts prompted varied reactions among attendees regarding the context surrounding the band. Some fans expressed internal conflict but still chose to attend the shows.
Other audience members focused primarily on the musical performance and the experience of seeing Arcade Fire live.
An attendee at the Montreal show commented, "Absolutely not, because I separate the artist and the music."
