The Reflektors (Arcade Fire)

On their second album, Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler sang "my body is a cage that keeps me from dancing with the one I love." How times change. Two number one albums and a disco-themed minor reinvention later, that cage is well and truly unlocked, as the band play host to a truly unique gig that feels if anything, more like a party than a show.

Sticking to the band's request of formal attire or fancy dress, the expectant crowd are greeted in the lobby by a mariachi band playing a cover of 'I Love Rock n Roll', before a masked Butler joins them for a version of 'Reflektor', the stunning title track from the band's bewildering, yet exhilarating new double album. Once inside the main hall, where Don Letts is spinning a host a dub classics, the venue is adorned with a plethora of disco balls. So much for being unable to dance with the one you love…

Whether it's a result of the relative intimacy of the venue (they will of course go on to arenas next time around), the buzz of dressing up, or a mixture of both, the atmosphere is electric. The opener of 'Reflektor' is an absolute thrill – it's a jubilant rendition, which loses none of its power in a live setting, despite the unsurprising no-show of David Bowie for the call and response climax.

With the night billed as a gig by 'The Reflektors', it's obvious from the very beginning that the evening is set out as a way to showcase the new material in a live setting, but there is still room for a frantic 'Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)', which sounds every bit as vital as it did when they first made a name for themselves with their glorious debut album almost 10 years ago.

It's telling however, that there are no complaints about a lack of hits. Instead of growing restless, the crowd continue to fall for each new song's charms, particularly 'We Exist', a song detailing the awkward conversation between a gay son and his father, which is propelled by a funky bassline which seems to owe a great debt to Michael Jackson. Elsewhere, the ferocious, spiky 'Normal Person' sparks an insane mosh pit, which proves to be quite the spectacle, given that most of the crowd appear to be dressed up for a night out at The Ritz.

Concluding the set is a glorious 'Here Comes The Night Time', which climaxes with ticker tape falling from the roof - the night now a wonderful mess of glitter and confetti as the crowd can’t help but groove to the infectious Caribbean rhythms as Win Butler and his wife and co-vocalist Regine Chassagne look out at the crowd from underneath giant novelty masks.

Upon introducing the wonderful 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)' during the encore, Butler refers to it as "an Arcade Fire song", maintaining the pretence that this is indeed a show by 'The Reflektors'. The truth really appears to be that this evening has served to be a polished rehearsal for the band, to figure out how the new songs will work amongst old in a huge live setting. For make no mistake, you'll be seeing more of them soon in much larger venues – not only are they the biggest alternative band around at the moment, Arcade Fire, The Reflektors, whatever you want to call them, are undoubtedly the best.

FUTURE GIGS

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