What more could I have asked for than to watch one of my favourite bands perform live in Italy? I was so ecstatic when I read on Arcade Fire's bandpage that they were going to gig in Italy that I immediately started making plans to cross the Mediterranean again. Clementine and I crossed with the same night ferry from Bastia to Livorno and spent a full day in Italy before the gig at night.
The beers outside the venue were cheap, the Panini probably the best I’ve had since being in Europe, the weather was perfect and the setting for their performance in the town of Lucca was magnificent. One of the main squares in Lucca was used as a beautiful setting for this event with old buildings looking into the square, a big statue in the centre with surrounding trees and cobble stones.
I was excited to see them, but had a huge piss prior to the show. Can you believe it; I found only two toilets and had to stand in a queue for more than 15 minutes? Being a guy, it especially sucks to wait, but I had to and complained with the girls around me. Clementine waited amongst the eager fans and by the time I returned the crowd had grown extensively, which resulted in me looking for her for some time.
The sun set behind the old buildings and Arcade Fire started with a bang - ‘Ready to Start’ followed by ‘Suburban War’ with mad lights and energetic Italians. I was in heaven! I raised and clapped my hands like the people in the church do. I was in ecstasy by the time they played ‘No Cars Go’. All my Arcade Fire favourites like; ‘Rebellion Lies’, ‘We Used To Wait’, ‘Tunnels’, ‘Month of May’, the list continues, were played. Band members continued to switch duties as they added to the growing sound.
Arcade Fire played an hour and a half set filled with emotion and energy. They left the stage for a few seconds and returned to end off with ‘Wake Up’. Jesus, I can’t express myself, I think I jizzed my pants right then and there.
I made the mission across from Corsica, walked the towns of Cinque Terre the afternoon before, swam in the Mediterranean and here I was singing along to every song.
I made the mission across from Corsica, walked the towns of Cinque Terre the afternoon before, swam in the Mediterranean and here I was singing along to every song.
What an epic performance by one of the hottest bands live. I’ve been lucky the past week having had the opportunity to watch Foals in Corsica and Arcade Fire in Italy. It was most probably one of the best days to date.
