Arcade Fire - 'Wake Up' Live at Merge Records 15th Anniversary Festival
Venue: Merge Records 15th Anniversary Festival
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States
Date: September 12, 2004
In September 2004, when Arcade Fire took the stage at the Merge Records 15th Anniversary Festival in Chapel Hill, they were riding high on the wave of their debut album, *Funeral*. Released just weeks earlier in September 2004, *Funeral* was pivotal in establishing the band’s unique sound—a fusion of baroque pop and rock that captured the collective emotional experience of loss and hope. “Wake Up,” the track featured in this live recording, became a breakout anthem that resonated powerfully with audiences, enhancing the group's reputation as innovators. Fun fact: this particular show also celebrated the independent spirit of Merge Records, home to influential bands before Arcade Fire, which truly set the stage for their burgeoning career. Can you imagine being in that crowd, feeling the energy as they poured their hearts out with those soaring melodies? It’s a moment frozen in time that marked just the beginning of their incredible journey.
