Eventually this side of the band won out, and the show climaxed with the quickening pulse of "It's Never Over (Hey Orpheus)" -- featuring a spotlit Chassagne singing from by the soundboard, but projected onscreen behind the band like some omnipotent goddess -- "Sprawl 2 (Mountains Beyond Mountains)," which led seamlessly into Blondie's "Heart of Glass." And despite what you may have read elsewhere on Rocks Off, this cover was 100 percent spot on.

That leaves us with the encore. Today most people are probably talking about the procession that closed out last song "Wake Up": the band led a lengthy parade around the Pavilion's covered seating area, and ending up in an acoustic circle by a pillar near one of the video screens. They might still be playing for all I know, but the most striking moment of the whole concert was the first song, "Normal Person."

During this lethal Some Girls-meets-Nevermind rocker a bunch of people in plastic Krofft-like masks crowded the stage, including someone in a Hakeem Olajuwon jersey, while someone else wore a TV on his head broadcasting images of both Rick Perry and George W. Bush.

It may not have made a lick of sense (Republicans are Talking Heads?), but it sure was fun. Maybe for their next act, Arcade Fire can get legitimately weird.

Personal Bias: The show made me want to spend some more time with Reflektor, but I'm still waiting for Arcade Fire's country album. I know they've got it in 'em.

The Crowd: Knew every syllable to "Wake Up." Some interesting masks besides the ones onstage.

Overheard In the Crowd: While we were being showered with confetti and the band was still onstage during "Wake Up," a stranger grabbed my notebook and wrote this charming verse. (I hate that shit.)

Your breath is like a fart Wet and cruel But in my heart I love it It makes me feel...cool

Random Notebook Dump: I bet Bill Clinton likes Arcade Fire more than Barack Obama does.

SET LIST Reflektor Flashbulb Eyes Neighborhood 3 (Power Out) Rebellion (Lies) Joan of Arc The Suburbs Ready to Start Neighborhood 1 (Tunnels) No Cars Go Neighborhood 2 (Laika) My Body Is a Cage (briefly) Afterlife It's Never Over (Hey Orpheus) Sprawl 2 (Mountains Beyond Mountains) Heart of Glass (Blondie cover)

ENCORE Normal Person Here Comes the Night Time Wake Up

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