Pinball wizards

Were it not for the show-stopping antics of The Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire would have walked away with the nod for top gig of the festival - or at least, the top gig of my festival. They did it without relying on any of the Lips' firepower, just an understated highway-sign style backdrop. Unfortunately, despite their close proximity and having two ex-Ottawans in the band they rarely make it down this way as headliners (unless you count gigs at their old high school).

Frontman Win Butler is at right, and longtime Ottawa music scenesters will recognize Jeremy Gara on the drums.



Win sings! Richard Reed Parry shakes the mop, Sarah Neufeld rocks the keys.



Keyboard action with Win's brother William.



The whole lot! Including Win's wife Regine Chassagne and bassist Tim Kingsbury. I think their other violinist is sometime-touring member Marika Shaw.



Jeremy is looking very stylish.



You'll want the next turn on the right.



Jeremy and Regine stick with it.



Violin and viola action (plus bonus Butler)!



Lil' Win and big Win.



Psychedelic action! (Rush's backdrop was still better.)



Jeremy gets some axe time.



Regine grabs the accordion and gets in on some singalong action!



Here's some more ....



Some brotherly microphone-sharing.



There was instrument-switching aplenty.



Blimey but Win is tall.



Fun with drums!



More fun with drums!



The end!



As has been documented elsewhere by crack lensman David P. Forcier, some of them went outside to jam with buskers extraordinaire The Dube Brothers, who had no idea who they were. Kids these days! They're currently touring California and Mexico before heading off to Europe.

• Show reminder: Black Dahlia Murder, play an early set at Ritual with Goatwhore, Arkaik and Immersed;Falklands and Plus Perfect take their cross-country tour to the Rainbow.