If that Grammy win didn’t make you admit that Arcade Fire might be bigger than indie, than this news leaves no doubt. According to Variety, the adored act have signed on with mega-giant record label Columbia, putting their relationship with indie-big North Carolina label Merge in the rearview. They also shared the official video for their new single, “Everything Now,” which they’re selling on 12-inch vinyl at Primavera Sound. Watch it above.
The band’s next two albums — including the one they are currently teasing — will drop via the Sony Music imprint. Universal Music Group distributed the band’s last album, but apparently lost out on the opportunity to release their latest.
Columbia will have to get to work fairly soon, as the band is already teasing new music in that cryptic way they fell in love with around the release of Reflektor. They have new merchandise and music for sale at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound festival. The group just shared an odd livestream that shows an image of Death Valley with faux news graphics laid on top of it. Occasionally, the “Live” tag in the corner flickers and becomes the word “Lie,” but other than that nothing much seems to be happening.
If you want to maybe catch some real, live tunes from the band and not some weird promotional gimmick, they are on tour right this very instant. Check out those dates below.
06/03 — Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound Festival
06/05 — Lyon, FR @ Nuits de Fourviere
06/07 — Scunthorpe, UK @ Baths Hall
06/08 — Edinburgh, UK @ Corn Exchange
06/10 — Newport, UK @ Isle of Wight Festival
06/13 — Belfast, UK @ Belsonic Festival
06/14 — Dublin, IE @ Malahide Castle
06/16 — Cologne, DE @ Tanzbrunnen
06/17 — Hilvarenbeek, NL @ Best Kept Secret Festival
06/19 — Zagreb, HR @ INmusic Festival
06/29 — Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
07/01 — Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
07/02 — Berlin, DE @ Wuhlheide
07/04 — London, UK @ York Hall
07/05 — London, UK @ York Hall
07/06 — Manchester, UK @ Castlefield Bowl
07/09 — Belfort, FR @ Eurockéennes Festival
07/11 — Linz, AT @ Ahoi! The Full Hit of Summer
07/15 — Carhaix-Plouguer, FR @ Vieilles Charreus
07/17 — Milan, IT @ City Season Festival
07/18 — Florence, IT @ City Season Festival
07/19 — Nyon, CH @ Paleo Festival
12/15-16 — Buenos Aires, AR @ Festival BUE