Yep. Arcade Fire covered Fugazi’s “Waiting Room” at the Verizon Center last night.

The Arcade Fire has always embraced grandiose gestures. They have eight people performing during their stage show, at least three of whom are multi-instrumentalists. They have eight different album covers for their most recent album, The Suburbs. They used a huge friggin’ organ on their 2007 release Neon Bible. Hell, they had Terry Gilliam direct the video broadcast from their Madison Square Garden show last week. Yet, for all of their intricate string arrangements and grand Springsteen-esque guitar riffs, Friday night’s most memorable moments were the most personal.

by maxedaperture Talking about ticket sales has a way of riling up the commentariat around here, but since we’re two days past the band’s pre-sale, and one day past IMP’s pre-sale, and we’re in the official window of every old seat in the house is on sale, we’d like to kindly let you know that tickets to see Arcade Fire and Spoon at Merriweather on August 6 are still available as of the time…

Shortly after his Wednesday night Oath of Office do-over, President Obama motorcaded to the D.C. Armory for the final official inaugural event of an endless weekend. The Obama for America Staff Ball, free and mostly attended by under-30 campaign staffers and their guests, featured speeches by the new President and Vice President, performances by Arcade Fire and Jay-Z, and a cavernous building transformed by flowing tapestries, “Renewing America’s Promise” plaques, and several beer and wine…

Múm is the latest in what seems to be a global trend of acts that believe the bigger the band, and the more unusual the instrumentation, the better. Though only two original members of the group remain, Gunnar Örn Tynes and Örvar óreyjarson Smárason, there were seven musicians on stage during last night’s concert at the historic 6th and I Synagogue. The ensemble employed the following instruments over the course of the show: guitar, bass,…

The pairing seems a little odd at first glance…and even at second glance. Raleigh’s artsy Annuals project an Animal Collective meets Arcade Fire sound, whereas Atlanta’s Manchester Orchestra feels more like an emo band in Whiskeytown clothing. They certainly didn’t attract the same group of fans and in between sets there was a visible changing of the guard in the area right in front of the stage. Still, the co-headliners actually have a lot in…

This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King, and appreciated their beautiful skyline. Chicagoist knows what it’s like to like the Cubs. But naming your kid Wrigley Fields? At least they can breathe a little easier now that Grossman’s out and…

Photo and review by DCist contributor Valerie Paschall Providence, RI’s Get Him Eat Him has their fair share of influential friends. They’ve opened tours for behemoths such as Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire, and Beirut’s Zach Condon plays on their latest album, Arms Down, produced by former Plan axe-man Jason Caddell. Despite all of this, they have released pockets of blog-love, but have essentially flown under the radar. Last night’s show at The…

Maybe it’s always been this way, but it seems the latest trends in indie bands are to either go really big or pare everything down. Examples: The two-person, girl-boy pop duo has exploded, not to mention the two person blues combo. Power trios seem on the rise — run-of-the-mill rhythm guitarists need not apply. On the other side of the spectrum, The Arcade Fire gains a member every time they tour, collectives like Broken Social…

While the opening song was the same, not much else was. After all, the last time The National came to town (as headliners), they played a sold-out show at the Black Cat. This time, they doubled their audience and packed the 9:30 Club. They even had the entire show simultaneously broadcast on NPR. What changed? Their most recent effort, Boxer, was released to rave reviews, following up on the heels of the well-received Alligator…