Concert: Arcade Fire @ Tonhalle

Great concert. I don't think the crowd was bad at all. In fact, I think this is one of the best crowd performances I've experienced in my many years in Germany.

Agreed, they're great in concert!

First visit to Tonhalle though, and not a fan. Just a big, flat box of a room with very ill placed pillars. Unless you get there early, you're screwed for a good view.

Yeah, those pillars were annoying. At least the bar was big enough that you didn't have to wait a half hour on line for a drink, though.
I was up near the front left side at first but the bass was so powerful up there it was unerträglich. It was much better sound near the back of the room.

I was a bit disappointed with how some of the songs from Funeral sounded... at points it was a bit of a cacophony... anyone else find this too? I was disappointed they didn't play Laika. All of the neon Bible songs sounded great though.

Also, were the organ pipes just a prop?

Best moment of the show for me that was. Shame they didn't play everything off the first album, but beggars can't be choosers can they?

Awesome show.

I agree about the Tonhalle though, while I've seen some great shows there before (Calexico and Belle and Sebastian for example), if you get stuck out on the sides, your view's pretty crap. Muffathalle's far better for a venue of a similar size.

Johnnies Top Tip: Next time just bring a 5'4" dead common gal in a parka to push everyone up to the front.

Love, love, love! And I didn't think the crowd was that tame at all; I was expecting worse to be honest. Also, by miracles of all miracles, I managed to make it to the very front of the stage after "Haiti". (Not bad for circumstances having me arrive at 9pm).

This was the third time I saw them (Coachella, Calgary, München) and it's been different, and consistently amazing each time. This performance was almost more mature, sexier, with songs from Neon Bible.

I don't know, maybe everyone's too used to Munich crowds, but I was jumping around like the Duracell bunny from chord 2, and every time I took a pause to wipe my face off (f**king furnace up there in that deplorable Gallerie), everybody around me or down on the floor below was doing the "Münchner Konzerttanz" (moving your right knee while tapping the left foot, and nervously looking around too make sure nobody you know sees how uncool you are).

You weren't standing behind me were you? Front right watching Sarah Neufeld and Owen Pallett, the violinists. If so, I didn't leave to avoid a fight, I was just scared of becoming stone deaf.


The sound was dreadful but improved towards the end. Think it was a mistake to put the speakers on the floor and not hang them up. I ended up right at the back behind the mixing console and could still feel the bass shake my balls. Sack the sound engineers!

Otherwise, effing awesome indeed!

That is exactly where I was but only for the encore. I am about 6'4" hence the crabby kraut (then again is there any other type??).

She was being very friendly with your bottom. You should invoice her.

No need. My bottom is a registered charity.

surely being at the back of the hall, on a balcony, is not going to be the most electric position for seeing a band?!

I was down at the front, second pillar back and the crowd (at least in the middle) was moshing big time. I've never seen such movement from a crowd of german! I was very impressesed...

I've got no qualms with the crowd last night, I did get some funny looks though when they put that Sunset Rubdown song on in between the bands and I started singing along. You know, the one that sounded like a pirate shanty tune.

OK, duly noted, next time I'll beweg my Arsch a little earlier to get tickets in the main hall.