Arcade Fire and the Unicorns Bring High-Energy Show to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center

The second night of their three-night stint at Brooklyn's Barclays Center and Arcade Fire put on a show as if it was their first -- ever -- in the big city. Playing for two hours and covering around 20 songs that spanned their decade-wide catalog, the concert was a constant party for the 18,000 screaming fans in attendance. And the encore ... well, it was a surprise no one expected.

At any given moment during their set, the stage was packed with several multi-instrumentalists -- from saxophones to violins to synthesizers -- that only added to the endless positive energy being emitted from the band. With very little chit-chat between songs, Arcade Fire's performance was all about having a good time and keeping the night moving fast in a forward direction.

Opening with 'Normal Person' from their 2013 'Reflektor,' the night's vivacity only grew as each song progressed; just when fans thought things couldn't get any better -- how could the band top their performance of 'The Suburbs' or 'Crown of Love'? -- Arcade Fire took the standard concert-going experience to a whole new level. By the end of the night (which included an encore of two Ramones covers featuring Marky Ramone on drums ... check out the video below), fans were out-of-breath from jumping and dancing for 120 solid minutes.

It wasn't just Arcade Fire that kept the crowd electrified; right before they went on, electronic musician Dan Deacon held a dance party for those fans with floor tickets. While they were focused on having a rave-like good time, the main stage was being set-up for Arcade Fire -- this meant there was no time when the audience was standing or sitting twiddling their thumbs waiting for the main act.

And before Deacon were the Unicorns, friends of Arcade Fire -- not to mention fellow Canadians. The garage rockers put on a spirited and light-hearted opening set that was ripe with loud, fuzzy noise and bizarre lyrics that kept the crowd captivated. Songs like 'William, Clap Your Hands' and the Daniel Johnston tune 'Rocket Ship' made for quite the treat for those fans who showed up early.

Essentially, from the time the 'Corns took the stage to Arcade Fire wrapping things up, fans were in a constant state of high-energy musical bliss.

Arcade Fire wrap up their third and final night in Brooklyn tonight (Aug. 24) and then head to Chicago for a couple of days followed by two Canadian gigs to finish the 'Reflektor' tour. Get the details on their remaining shows here.

In the meantime, enjoy some of our exclusive photos, Arcade Fire's set list and a video of their epic Ramones encore below.

Arcade Fire -- Barclays Center -- Aug. 23

Dan Deacon

The Unicorns

Arcade Fire -- Setlist, Aug. 23, 2014 
‘Normal Person’
‘Rebellion (Lies)’
‘Joan of Arc’
‘Month of May’
‘The Suburbs’
’The Suburbs (Continued)’
‘Ready to Start’
‘Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)’
‘Crown of Love’
‘Intervention’
‘We Exist’
‘Reflektor’
‘Haiti’
‘Afterlife’
‘It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus)’
‘Sprawl II (Mountains Byeond Mountains)’

Encore
’Psycho Killer’ (Fake Band)
‘I Don’t Wanna Go Down to the Basement’ (Ramones cover with Marky Ramone)
‘I Wanan Be Sedated’ (Ramones cover with Marky Ramone)
‘Here Comes the Night Time’
‘Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)’
‘Wake Up’

Watch Arcade Fire Cover the Ramones at Brooklyn's Barclays Center