Arcade Fire @ Reading 2010 | livemusic.fm

Playing to a bizarrely small crowd Arcade Fire still looked as though they were both amazed and grateful to be headlining Saturday night at Reading. Tracks off their latest album 'The Suburbs' fit into the set as if they had been a staple part of Arcade Fire's live show for years. A band this relevant and songs that can go toe to toe with the best will always be an exciting prospect, but mixed with great musicianship and a subtly brilliant stage show tonight is very special.

Being able to throw a heavy hitter like 'Keep The Car Running' in second is a sign of depth of songs, and the songs just keep coming. 'Modern Man' takes on a different feel to the album version, sounding weightier whilst the ridiculously named Rococo proves itself a new live favorite.

The magic thing about what Arcade Fire have become is the use of all the instruments on offer. No longer are they there just to add density to the music, now they are painting with the array of musical colours that this amount of musicians allow. 'The Suburbs' is proof of them holding back and being mature about what to throw in the mix.

Ending of course with 'Wake Up' Arcade Fire prove themselves not out of their depth, we hope next time those who are watching the benial Pendulum will be making the right decision as who to see.