With the bands we cover on Pop Press International, it’s rare that we have any incentive to make a trip to Austin’s enormous new amphitheater venue at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack. In fact, Arcade Fire’s show this Thursday will be the first time. And that fact has us reflecting on just how much Arcade Fire has meant to independent music in their relatively short career.
In all honesty, I’m a little appalled every time I hear derision lodged at the band for attaining the iconic, international status they’ve claimed in recent months. While I’ve fiercely defended the right to call out bands for compromising their vision in exchange for increased attention and monetary compensation, Arcade Fire’s new album Reflektor, which came out last year on Merge Records, made it clear that they’re remaining true to their roots and pursuing their own creative voices as fiercely as ever. And that’s why we’ll be in attendance Thursday night. Lawn tickets for the show are still available, but there’s more… Despite the fact that the graphic on Ticketmaster’s site indicated that no tickets remained in the GA-Pit area, it mysteriously found one when we allowed the site to search for the best available tickets rather than choosing them ourselves. If you’re still in need of a ticket, try your luck here.
As an added bonus, we’ve heard rumors that the Official Arcade Fire After Party at Continental Club with Phi Slamma Jamma and DJ Windows 98 will actually feature the same Phi Slamma Jamma that has appeared in recent months at Arcade Fire related shows–that is, a cover band doing songs by Ramones, The Beatles, and other greats, and comprised of members of Arcade Fire including Win Butler. Tickets for that show are sold out, but there’s always showing up and hoping. Watch the video for Arcade Fire’s “Afterlife,” directed by the immensely talented Emily Kai Bock.
