Arcade Fire has released a music video that was filmed live in Haiti for their single “Here Comes The Night.” The single is found on Arcade Fire’s album, Reflektor, which was released in 2014. Arcade Fire is currently working on their fifth album in their studio that is located in New Orleans, LA and has announced their summer tour dates for Europe and North America for this year.
When Arcade Fire toured for their Reflektor album, they performed thirty-fiver covers that included songs from Prince, The Rolling Stones, Wolf Parade, and Boyz II Men. But the music video portrays Haiti was the band’s influence for their fourth album. The music and culture of the small Creole speaking nation was a big influence into how “Here Comes The Night” and the entire Reflektor album should sound.
In the video, courtesy of the Jacmel’s Artists Institute, the group performs a strip down version of “Here Comes The Night.” The video shows Carnival performers as well as Arcade Fire. The local musicians also joined in to add more sound to the bare and naked song, as well as promoting the upcoming Carnival season, the beginning of Lent in Catholic tradition where for six weeks the Christian follower repents their sin and giving up personal luxuries that are considered indulgent and sinful. Lent ends the day of Easter, when Jesus was resurrected from the tomb, and on that day the Christian follower brings back their personal luxuries and has been atoned for their sins. This bare version of “Here Comes The Night” is a reflector on the culture of Haiti as not just people, but as a community devoted to religion, which is noticed throughout the video. Check out the clip below.