Arcade Fire Performs New Tracks
Arcade Fire played two tracks from their recently released seventh album “Pink Elephant” Saturday evening on the air last night – watch the video below.
- READ MORE: The “funeral” of Arcade Fire in 15: an album that killed Indie – Coron, as we knew him
Show Highlights and Performances
It was the sixth time the Canadian group served as musical guests on the show, first appearing in November 2007 to promote the “neon Bible”. This time, their performances were introduced by the host Walton Goggins, one of the stars of the last season of White Lotus.
Initially, there was “Pink Elephant”, where the victorious butler and Regin Shazan emerged from a pink curtain to sing the introductory refrain solo, before the curtain rose to reveal the rest of the group, all bathed in pink light and attire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzxbnCrecs4
Later in the show, they returned with the album’s main single “The Year of the Snake”, featuring the butler now adorned with a skull and the bandana, trading lead vocals with a rogue, while the group was illuminated in fluorescent blue light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wowz8ingufc
Connection with SNL and Upcoming Shows
The strong tie between Arcade Fire and SNL was evident in February when the group performed alongside David Birn and Holy Vincent to cover David Bowie‘s “Heroes” during the show’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
Their new album was released on Friday (May 9), and the group is set to hold a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London to celebrate on Wednesday (May 14). Find remaining tickets for this show here.
The group reported that they explored a Cinematic Mystical Punk approach, with all 10 tracks recorded in their own studio in New Orleans, the Good News of Butler and Water.
The “Pink Elephant” marks Arcade Fire’s first album since 2022 when accusations of sexual misconduct were levied against Butler. He responded to the allegations in a lengthy statement, expressing regret for anyone he offended but maintaining that “all these relations were consensual.”
The last episode of the 50th season of SNL will air next week (May 17), featuring Scarlett Johansson as host and Bad Bunny as the musical guest.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-arcade-fire-play-pink-elephant-and-year-of-the-snake-on-snl-3861935?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=watch-arcade-fire-play-pink-elephant-and-year-of-the-snake-on-snl
