Local musicians react to Arcade Fire’s new concert dress code

Canadian rock band Arcade Fire have created a stir with their recent mandatory dress code for an upcoming tour. Photo by: wikimedia.org

By Greg Murphy

BELLEVILLE – Canadian rock band, Arcade Fire, has stirred up a storm with its recent request that concert-goers wear formal attire, or a costume, to its upcoming concerts.

It’s an idea that’s got a lot of reaction on Twitter. Local musicians and music fans are also reacting.

Jordan Salmon, a local studio musician, says he’s not sure about the dress code, but can foresee some problems.

“They didn’t make this dress code optional. Arena tickets are already super expensive, and what if some people can’t afford a suit on top of that?” Salmon said, adding that wearing a full suit or other fancy attire would be uncomfortable, and too hot for an arena concert.

Another issue, Salmon says, is the band openly stated they were not sorry about making the request, even after the Twitter-verse reacted angrily to the idea.

“I think this is their attempt to do something new. I think its backfiring because people now obviously think they’re being pretentious,” he said.

Tony Silvestri, a recording and live performance musician from the Quinte area, likes the idea. He says the dress code is an innovation.

“This will bring people together, bring fans closer to the band. I think people will come out of a show saying ‘this is the band I went to see, I was a part of the show,'” said Silvestri. “I can see the limitations, but personally, I enjoy the idea.”

He also says this sort of thing is not unusual for Arcade Fire.

“This is not the first quirky idea from Arcade. It also won’t be the last,” he said.

Loyalist college radio students also have their own opinions. Phil Scott, a first year radio student, says formal attire fits their style.

“Arcade Fire is pretty theatrical, they’re really spiffy looking. I believe the true fan will have no problem dressing up to match their favorite band,” said Scott.

Ryan Covell, also a first year radio student, sees two sides to the idea.

“I think forcing someone to dress in a certain way will weed out the die hard fans from the casual fans. But I think this will take away some of the enjoyment from the concert,” Covell said.

Arcade Fire’s Reflektor tour starts in Louisville, Kentucky next March.

For more on the reaction from people on Twitter, click here