Arcade Fire

Music

Of all the bands that shaped the Montreal rock zeitgeist of the “noughties,” Arcade Fire was the most celebrated. Formed in 2003 around the songwriting core of Texan-born transplant Win Butler and Haitian-Montrealer Régine Chassagne, Arcade Fire was rounded off by ex-Ontarians Richard Parry and Tim Kingsbury of the New International Standard, as well as Win’s brother William Butler. Working with various drummers, this lineup recorded and self-released an eponymous EP the same year. Based on the strengths of their live show, they garnered a deal with major American indie label Merge for their first full-length album. Released in 2004, Funeral became one of the biggest albums of the decade, catapulting the band from local cabaret act to international festival headliner. After touring the world several times, Arcade Fire bought an old church in the Quebec town of Farnham to record follow up, Neon Bible. Released in 2007, the album debuted at #1 in Canada and Ireland, and #2 in the U.S. and U.K. (DN)

Photo Credit: Gabriel Jones