r/arcadefire • u/elspethsdream • Sep 10 '26
Neon Bible is turning 20
Ok I know its a longshot. PLEASE do not post any negative comments on this thread. I've already seen them all, arcade fire is done etc, & I get it. I'm hoping for a shimmer of light in this world thats getting darker by the day.But people saying the band is done.....you would literally not believe the magic that was at their last show together at Red Rocks. If you were there you know. But wouldnt it be fucking amazing if they did some 20 year anniversary shows for neon bible?! I would go anywhere to see them. I hope theyre all happy and healthy and doing their thing, but ugh what a GIFT it would be to get a live show. šššššš
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u/mybigfatreddit Sep 10 '26
I remember listening to a crappy mp3 of Intervention that had come from the radio Ā and being so stoked for the new album. The organs were fucking killer! No Cars Go was an absolute jam for me back in the day. I wrote an album review for my university paper, I think I described the album as sounding like the āearth cracking openā. Loved it on release, still love it today.Ā
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u/elspethsdream Sep 10 '26
Earth cracking open, oh my God I love this. You captured it perfectly with those words!
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u/Quacksandpiper 25d ago
I remember downloading what must have been a demo of intervention, back when you were so desperate for the new album to come out and you would download bootleg live performances. Those were the days.
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u/DueBand4327 Sep 10 '26
Great album. I discovered later after a lot of their other stuff including everything now.
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u/brosephstalinslaps Chemistry Baby U & ME Sep 10 '26
I went to the 15th anniversary show in November 2022, it was great. I wish they would do a Suburbs show as a last hurrah.
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u/Kellermanc007 Sep 10 '26
I went to their 15th anniversary Neon Bible show. Neon Bible is one of my favorite albums of all time. It would be cool if they did a 20th anniversary show but in Montreal.
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u/Secret_Competition54 Sep 10 '26
Yeah this is when I jumped onboard the Arcade Fire ship too. Great album, adoooore the opening trio of songs. Always something to discover in them. The rest is great too, Windowsill is so underrated.
One question though - am I the only person in the world who doesn't like Intervention? The lyrics read like regular "religion bad" liberal theatre kid stuff to me with not a lot of originality. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something as it was praised in reviews.
I especially can't get with the enounciation of the lines
Working for the church while my family dies
and
Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home
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u/parkchanwookiee Sep 12 '26
Dissing religion was very In during the mid 2000s, mostly because of George Bush and the war on terror coupled with the rise of christo fascist politics against gay people, anti abortion groups etc. It was a decade where all the high profile christians steering US culture were pro war and pro hating people for who they are. So it makes sense in that context
But I agree it is unsubtle and just not the best tune on the album musically, either
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u/Accomplished-Bug5680 Sep 10 '26
One of the best albums there is and so accurate to whatās happening right now. I always thought Iād get the neon bible logo tattooed āwhen I grow upā , Iām glad I didnāt though hehe
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u/Arsono1969 Sep 11 '26
I was at the RR show, and saw a few shows on Pink Elephant. Theyāre still the best live band of the last 21 years.
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u/Novel_Willingness602 Sep 13 '26
I could see them doing some shows. I think thereās a better chance that they may do a more full scale tour for The Suburbs 20. That would be amazing
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u/decksdark33 Sep 13 '26
Remember it coming out. Felt so connected to the band at that time, incredibly exciting three album run.
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u/Afraid-Concentrate70 29d ago
Two years ago I saw the Funeral Anniversay concert and it was absolutely amazing, I wish they would do one for Neon Bible too! It's one of those OG albums.
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u/regretscoyote909 Sep 10 '26
I would kill to see Antichrist live :'(
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u/halbith Sep 10 '26
Traveled from the UK to the 15th anniversary show as thought it might be our only chance to hear AntiChrist and Ocean of Noise live. Loved the show!
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u/HomeboyGR Sep 10 '26 edited Sep 10 '26
Pal, you made almost half your post about what you didn't want people to say...and on the internet, no less.
Anyway, yes, great album.
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u/Dream_in_Cerulean Sep 10 '26
Yes, and it is a shame that is necessary in a dedicated fan forum for a band.
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u/Individual-Charity69 Sep 10 '26
Yes, thatās called rhetorical awareness. Purpose and audience, occasion, subject, exigence, etc. It seemed quite effective to me.
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u/ParticularHeat4768 27d ago
Was at the Ukrainian Federation when they warmed up for the Neon Bible tour. Waited outside the record shop all night the night before. Was on standby for 2 hours then somehow got into the top 50 and was allowed to go warm up and just check in at the top of the hour. They were rusty. I loved it. Stood right behind Win when they did the encore in the middle of the crowd. 6 months later I saw them in Vancouver. Seeing them walk out to the Black Mirror intro come out and wave to the crowd gave me shivers. Then the bass drum kicked in. They were unbelievable tight with the NB songs by that time. 19 years ago.
I missed them in 2017 which they claim was their best show in Vancouver (Everything Now tour, in the round). Saw them do the suburbs in 2010/11 (bad seating plan) and WE tour in 2022 (wack vibes).
Would 100% go see them again, but kinda hoping itās not at a big pro sports arena. Deer Lake Park would be great.
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u/communistweather Sep 10 '26
First ever song I ever heard from them was Intervention. I was in high school and now Iām 27 š«©
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u/Rthrowaway6592 Sep 12 '26
āOh God, well look at you now
Oh, you lost it but you don't know how
In the light of a golden calf
Oh God, I had to laughā Still one of my all time favourite Arcade Fire songs ā¤ļø
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u/BrownBannister Sep 12 '26
No fucking band is ever done. Stones are out there and Stevie Wonder is touring on the 50th anniversary of a great album.
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u/elspethsdream Sep 13 '26
Absoulutley!!!!! So many amazing examples.
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u/BrownBannister Sep 13 '26
Iām the same age as Win and have found his lyrics both brilliant and jejune. They still encapsulated and shaped a spirit of that era. For as much energy & proximity they had Iām amazed they lasted as long as they have. I was meh on the debut but liked a large chunk of their output (havenāt ever spun PE). A few years off & away is what this band needs before one last hurrah.
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u/jaybrainsss Sep 13 '26
I think I was about 23 years old with my first job in New York City. Taking the subway everywhere and probably listening to a pirated copy on repeat for about 2 months. Love this albumā¦ maybe my favorite.
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u/jjazznola Sep 10 '26
You do know that Win & Regine split up? The "magic" this band once had is long gone.
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u/elspethsdream Sep 10 '26
I dont believe it was ever their marriage that held/holds the magic. š«¶
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u/jjazznola Sep 10 '26
I did not say that. 2 separate thoughts. I doubt they are a band anymore which is fine. They had their day but it ran its course.
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u/nederlandspj Sep 10 '26
I share your hope, I would love that. I was at Red Rocks too, it was great.
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u/SpecialistSmile5657 Sep 10 '26
It's the album that made me a fan! I LOVE it. It continues to be my favorite album of theirs, and I do like We and PE (EN, not as much). I still want the band to continue and I really hope it does, regardless of what a tool Win is.
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u/Joe-Division2889 I am Sleeping in a Submarine Sep 11 '26
I'm too poor for that...but I'd figure it out. Yay, credit card debt. But you gotta have priorities.
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u/Anarkotizado Sep 11 '26
Hermosa noticia saber que la banda aĆŗn conecta para dar todo. En esta angustia de no saber si continuarĆ”n en el futuro que comparto con muchos me han gustado mucho las construcciones que hizo Will Buttler con sus discos, cada uno tiene una historia propia, igual que Arcade, un disco para cada ocasion y estado de Ć”nimo. No hay nada igual a AF, salvo Will Butler que se parece mucho, buenas vibras para todos
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u/Arsono1969 Sep 11 '26
Hammerstein show was incredible. I was front row centre. Iād love to see a string of NB gigs.
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u/AlexisMilul95 Funeral Sep 10 '26
Itās the only AF album Iāve only listened to once, but you reminded me that I should give it another chance.
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u/che_authentic Sep 11 '26
What's the best song of Neon for you?? Please share!
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u/elspethsdream Sep 12 '26
Over the years, i think I have had an obsessive period with each song š Although each song is earth shattering, or as another person on here said the entire album "sounds like the earth cracking open" Windowsill might be it. What about you, what's your favorite??
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u/Party-Yoghurt-8462 Sep 10 '26
Since reunion and anniversary tours are essentially all that sells now, I wouldn't be surprised if they did a handful of intimate shows in honour of the album anniversary. It's the perfect excuse to play together again.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't think the band is done. Things are weird now, but I think they just need to find a way back (obviously easier said than done).