Live Review: Arcade Fire, Diplo

Last minute DJ addition Diplo opens proceedings tonight delivering a set heavy on playlisted cool and low on his notoriously kaleidoscopic tastes. All is forgiven when Major Lazer's Get Free is dropped. The track inspires a few self-conscious swoops among the crowd.

In a now infamous Washington Post review of Arcade Fire's recent Reflektor, journalist Chris Richards referred to the Montreal collective as “gigantic dorks with boring sex lives”. Cheap shot no doubt but, bedroom activities aside, it's fair to say that there has always been a degree of dorkiness about Win Butler and co. This is immediately apparent tonight as the lights fade and a collection of bobble-headed surrogates kick straight into Rebellion (Lies) from the band's classic debut, Funeral. Thirty seconds in and they are exposed as imposters when Butler, his wife Regine Chassagne and band wander indignantly on stage, boot the bobble-heads and reclaim their instruments. Regardless of artistic intention, it's weirdly stage-managed and, coupled with muddled newie Normal Person recast as opener proper, represents a shaky start.

Funeral, though – what a record that was. Any worries that we might be in for a long, cold night under the Bowl are alleviated as the band rip into Wake Up and inspire a feverish singalong from an enraptured crowd. It's an early highlight and as they move through an envious back catalogue in near-chronological order, Arcade Fire seem to grow in confidence. Supported with mind-boggling enthusiasm by his loyal cohorts, Butler is the real star here. Resplendent in gold as he stalks the stage with a wolf-like hunch, he leads us through Keep The Car Running, drops the tempo for Ocean Of Noise and goes all Benny And The Jets for The Suburbs.

Happy in a supporting role for the majority of the set, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) gives Chassagne a late chance to spread her wings as she ups the dork stakes by brandishing some tassels with no real skill or grace. Circus skills aside, she nails the tune and gives the boys the confidence to rip into a fantastic version of the INXS classic Devil Inside. Joan Of Arc and Reflektor follow and we're reminded of Butler's response to that mean old Washington Post critic; “Oh yeah, Bruce Springsteen wants to cover my songs because I'm such a dork. I'm not a dork. I'm a fucking rock star”. Tonight, as Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out) rings in our ears and Arcade Fire triumphantly wave us away, it's impossible to disagree.