Arcade Fire played two tracks from their newly-released seventh album ‘Pink Elephant’ on Saturday Night Live last night – watch the videos below.
It was the sixth time the Canadian band have been the musical guests on the show, having first appeared in November 2007 to promote ‘Neon Bible’. This time around, their performances were introduced by host Walton Goggins, one of the stars of the latest season of The White Lotus.
First up was ‘Pink Elephant’, which saw Win Butler and Régine Chassagne emerge from behind a pink curtain to sing the opening refrain alone, before the curtain drew to reveal the rest of the band, all drenched in pink light and clothing.
Later in the show, they returned with the album’s lead single ‘Year Of The Snake’, with Butler, now sporting a skull and crossbones bandana, swapping lead vocals with Chassagne while the band were doused in fluorescent blue light.
Arcade Fire’s close connection with SNL was made clear in February when the band took to the stage with David Byrne and St. Vincent to cover David Bowie‘s ‘Heroes’ during the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the show.
Their new album was released on Friday (May 9), and the band are due to play a one-off gig at London’s Royal Albert Hall to celebrate on Wednesday (May 14). Find any remaining tickets for that show here.
The band have said it explores a “cinematic mystical punk” approach, with its 10 tracks all having been recorded at Butler and Chassagne’s own Good News Recording Studio in New Orleans.
‘Pink Elephant’ marks the first Arcade Fire album since allegations of sexual misconduct arose against Butler in 2022. Five people came forward to accuse the singer of inappropriate behaviour, and the accusations also led to Feist leaving the band’s tour early. Butler responded to the allegations in a lengthy statement, claiming he was “very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behaviour” but maintaining that “these relationships were all consensual”.
The final episode of this 50th season of SNL airs next week (May 17), with host Scarlett Johansson being joined by musical guest Bad Bunny.
English (US) · 