Arcade Fire have announced on social media that they are playing a fourth and final last-minute secret show tonight (21st March) in New York.
The super-intimate show will – like the previous three nights’ surprise gigs – take place at Bowery Ballroom, which has a capacity of only around 575 people. Like all the band’s recent shows, it will be held on a ‘pay what you can’ basis. This time, as with Sunday’s show, the band have announced via their Instagram story that wristbands will not be available from the venue – they’ll announce locations to grab them soon.
The Canadian supergroup have been up to a whole lot of promo recently, including teaser postcards, poster and social media ‘stuff’. It’s all come to a head with the release of their new single ‘The Lightening I, II’ and the announcement of their upcoming sixth album, ‘WE’, which is set to be released on 6th May. You can read all about it here.
This weekend, Will Butler announced he’d left Arcade Fire
Fans had noticed Will had not appeared at recent surprise shows from the band, and didn’t appear in new promo photos shared alongside the announcement of the band’s new album ‘WE’.
Writing on Twitter, he explains: “Hi friends – I’ve left Arcade Fire.”
“I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete. There was no acute reason beyond that I’ve changed—and the band has changed—over the last almost 20 years. Time for new things.
“I’m working on a new record; booking some shows this summer. I’m working on music for a David Adjmi play (which is so good). A few other projects percolating.
“I was at Paul Farmer’s memorial service last weekend. The words from the ceremony, and the challenge of his life, remain at the front of my mind.
“I’ll still be working with @plus1org and @pih—and the many activists and good humans and elected officials I’ve met—to give people material help; to build better systems of health, justice, and government; to try to live up in some way to Paul’s example.
“Thank you to anyone who’s come out to AF shows, or bought a record, or loves our music. It’s meaningful to be part of your lives. Thank you to the crew, staff, management, label people, bands, artists, and friends who have helped bring our vision to life for so many years”
He finishes up by stating: “The band are still my friends and family. I’ll be around! See you around!”
Will – a solo artist in his own right – released his last album, ‘Generations’, in 2020. You can check out his statement below.
