Gear Blog: Arcade Fire

“…That’s a lot of stuff.”

It’s quite gratifying for a band at the peak of commercial success to accept an invitation to tape a performance for us – doubly so to have them to comeback and tape with us again. The producers and crew take it as a compliment that visiting artists had such a great time that they are willing to do it again, especially, since they will only be paid scale.

Acrade Fire was winding down its tour supporting the supremely successful The Suburbs. Not only did it sell, an increasingly rare feat these days, but it also garnered a BRIT, a Juno, and a Grammy.

This post will be big on eye candy and small on the proper nouns since:
1.) There is a lot of gear.
2.) There are a lot of Arcade Fires on stage.
3.) Arcade arsonists change instruments with great
frequency (like between every song frequency).
4.) These pictures were taken a year ago and I really can’t
remember who did what, where.

photo by Kevin Cochran

One of two violin positions. You’ll be seeing a lot of Moog moogerfooger delays and Radial JDI’s on the floor this week.

photo by Kevin Cochra

photo by Kevin Cochran

Especially Regine Chassagne’s hurdy-gurdy.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Win Butler’s pedal board including a Moog MP-201 Multi Pedal, a Diamond Memory Lane 2, and a Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Arcade Fire used a several vintage Music Man amps for this tour. Also, notice the mic stand on the kick drum. It has a rubber base that helps isolate the stand from vibrations in the floor.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Win Butler’s mic might look ancient, but only the housing is vintage. Actually, its a quite contemporary Shure SM 58 on the inside.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Bass duty was distributed between several band members. This Mosrite bass was plugged into Ashdown rig and miced with a Rode Procaster.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Far stage left was synth world including a Korg MS-20, a Dave Smith Prophet ’08, and a Moog Rogue…

photo by Kevin Cochran

…and a Moog Taurus 2.

photo by Kevin Cochran

I have no idea what this is, but I want one.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Lots of wireless in-ear monitoring, which is kind of a necessity with so many people on stage. Also, lots of wireless mics for instruments that come and go during the show.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Like this drum.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Guitar world. My favorite is the Gibson 12-string 335.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Though I also like the metal bodied mandola.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Monitors were mixed with a Digico SD7.

photo by Kevin Cochran

Front of House was mixed by Jim Warren. This is his very own Avid Venue running through Lake EQ. Again, the near field monitors are also seated on top of rubber-based platforms to minimize vibration and give a truer reproduction of sound.

photo by Kevin Cochran

It was a real treat to work with Jim. He found a better way for us to set up our sub-woofers at the Moody Theater and had the rare skill of taking a loud band and making them sound not that loud. Mr. Warren’s expertise also tamed a room that others sometimes find difficulty mixing in.

Even though I can’t prove it, I have a sneaking suspicion the that it was Jim who gave a nod of approval about ACL to another band he mixes. The one that would be our Season 38 opener.

Encore: Arcade Fire

Join us this weekend for a special Austin City Limits Encore episode featuring Grammy winner and indie favorite Arcade Fire. This episode displays their growth as musicians as well as their expanding catalog of albums from their very first appearance nearly four years ago. Drawing extensively from their Grammy winning album, The Suburbs, Arcade Fire also includes a handful of singles from their first album, Funeral. However, one highlight worth mentioning is the when the group performs “Keep the Car Running” a catchy and infectious tune from the band’s second album, Neon Bible.

You won’t want to miss this weekend’s episode! Be sure to check your local PBS listings here for times. Also, don’t forget to check our Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr pages for goodies and info on all things Austin City Limits. Next week we premiere the amazing Season 38 with the one and only Radiohead!

The ACL Season 37 commemorative book is here!

Mumford & Sons, Florence + The Machine, Coldplay, Arcade Fire, Randy Newman, Lykke Li, Wilco. Maybe you were there for the tapings, or maybe you watched their performances on TV? Either way, we want to let you know about the Austin City Limits: Season 37 Commemorative Photo Book. Every artist who appeared on Austin City Limits Season 37 is here in this commemorative book packed full of incredible photographs, set lists, limited-edition poster art, taping programs and one-of-a-kind autographed art boards from the band members themselves. Published by Soundcheck Magazine, with photos by Scott Newton and Soundcheck’s Randy Cremean and Gary Miller and forewords by Newton and ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona, the book is an exceptionally cool way to look back on a truly fantastic season.

Check out a preview of the 116 page book. You can find information on ordering here. Proceeds benefit KLRU-TV, Austin PBS – the longtime home of Austin City Limits.

Season 37 Poster Auction!

Season 37 was such a memorable season for us – from moving into our new home at ACL Live at the Moody Theater to celebrating New Year’s Eve with Coldplay. Even though we’ve started tapings for Season 38, we’re not ready to let go of Season 37 quite yet – and you don’t have to either! As part of a fundraising effort for KLRU-TV, the producing station for Austin City Limits, we have organized an eBay auction of signed, limited edition band posters from last season!

Each band poster had a very limited print run and only a few were signed – each is extremely collectible for any fan of the band or the artist! The posters up for grabs include: Arcade Fire, Coldplay, Florence & The Machine, Gillian Welch & The Decemberists, Jeff Bridges, Miranda Lambert, Randy Newman, Raphael Saadiq, Steve Miller Band, and Wilco.

The auction will be up until March 10, so bid now and bid often to get your favorite performer’s poster into your personal collection.

All proceeds will go directly to KLRU-TV to inspire creativity, exploration and understanding in Austin – and beyond.

ACL Season 37, Episode 9: Arcade Fire

The first time Arcade Fire appeared on the ACL stage, their much-anticipated second album Neon Bible had hit number 2 on the Billboard chart and the band was poised to become superstars. Four years later The Suburbs, the Montreal band’s highly acclaimed third LP, had debuted at number 1 on the album charts and won a Grammy for Album of the Year, and the group had solidified their position as a major festival headliner. What better way to celebrate Arcade Fire’s ascendancy than a triumphant return to Austin City Limits? Find out this Saturday, January 14.

Arcade Fire “Ready to Start” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

With The Suburbs at the heart of their performance, Arcade Fire take the stage with the singalong pop single “Ready to Start.” Within moments the crowd is in the palm of bandleader Win Butler’s hand, rolling through new classics like “Month of May,” “Rococo” and the Regine
Chassagne showcase “Sprawl II,” pushing the studio to a fever pitch.. Never fear, Arcade Fire standards “Haiti,” “Keep the Car Running” and, of course, “Wake Up” also make appearances. With nearly every tune an audience-energizing anthem, the passion never flags – this is truly one of the most exciting shows we’ve ever recorded.

Arcade Fire “We Used to Wait” at ACL: Behind the Scenes from Jonathan Jackson on Vimeo.

You can, of course, find out for yourself on Saturday – check your local listings for the time your PBS station will broadcast this awesome episode. You can also go here for biographical info, pictures and the setlist. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages and to sign up for our newsletter for more ACL TV sweet stuff. Next week: the ACL debuts of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom!

New Year – New Episodes!

We’re halfway through the broadcasts of Austin City Limits’ 37 season and you may be asking yourself: how do we follow up shows with Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, the Decemberists, the Steve Miller Band, Miranda Lambert, Raphael Saadiq and Randy Newman (to name only a few)? With a second half equally as strong, of course.

Arcade Fire “We Used to Wait” at ACL: Behind the Scenes from Jonathan Jackson on Vimeo.

Coming up on January 7 we have Seattle up-and-comers The Head and the Heart and British veterans Gomez. On January 14 it’s the return of Album of the Year Grammy winners Arcade Fire. January 21 is ACL acid folk day with Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom. January 28 features the debuts of rising stars Florence + the Machine and Lykke Li. We close the season on February 7 with our old pals Wilco.

We’re as jazzed about these new episodes. Don’t forget to watch on your favorite PBS station!