If they haven’t watched the episode yet, Indie rock band Arcade Fire fans will love this news.
This week’s Saturday Night Live was blessed with the appearance of Arcade Fire, performing “Unconditional (Lookout Kid)” and “The Lightning I, II” during the episode hosted by Benedict Cumberbatch. They also played “End of the Empire I-IV (Sagittarius A*)” during the credit roll at the end of the show.
After they finished their second song of the evening, Win Butler gave a message to the audience, appearing to back up abortion rights.
“A woman’s right to choose forever and ever and ever, amen,” he stated.
This week’s episode of SNL was the fifth time the band appeared as musical guests on the show – after appearances in 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2018. In March, Arcade Fire revealed their newest album, WE, with the rollout of “The Lightning I, II.” They released “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)” from the album in April.
Will Butler announced his separation from the band in the same week of WE’s release, saying, “I left at the end of last year after the new record was complete.” He added, “There was no acute reason beyond that I’ve changed – and the band has changed – over the last almost 20 years. Time for new things.”
He later revealed to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that his younger brother brought pride to him by “doing his own thing.”
The band was part of the Coachella lineup, playing in the Mojave Tent on April 15, but they were added in late.
Arcade Fire recently announced their tour.
The band is scheduled for a tour in Europe and North America this year, starting in Dublin at the end of August. Beck will headline the opening for the band in North America, with Feist snagging the support slot for their European schedules.
Kanpe, which backs vulnerable communities in Haiti, will be the beneficiary for a dollar, pound, and euro from every ticket sale of Arcade Fire’s tour, in collaboration with Plus1.
Next week’s episode of SNL will see Post Malone and Selena Gomez as musical guests.
Check out this list below for Arcade Fire’s tour schedule:
08-30 Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
09-02 Birmingham, England – Utilita Arena Birmingham
09-03 Manchester, England – AO Arena
09-05 Glasgow, Scotland – OVO Hydro
09-08 London, England – The O2
09-11 Lille, France – Zenith
09-12 Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis
09-14 Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
09-15 Paris, France – Accor Arena
09-17 Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum
09-18 Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
09-21 Madrid, Spain – WiZink Center
09-22 Lisbon, Portugal – Campo Pequeno
09-23 Lisbon, Portugal – Campo Pequeno
09-25 Bordeaux, France – Arkea Arena
09-26 Nantes, France – Zenith de Nantes
09-28 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
09-29 Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
10-01 Warsaw, Poland – COS Torwar
10-28 Washington, D.C. – The Anthem
11-01 Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion
11-04 Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
11-08 Boston, MA – MGM Fenway Music Hall
11-10 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
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