Arcade Fire requiring a formal dress code for upcoming shows is sparking a bit of controversy

When Arcade Fire put on some smaller shows recently to promote the new LP Reflektor, they asked fans to dress up for the occasion. Apparently they are now requesting the same from concertgoers attending the bigger performances.

Stereogum reported that the band included "Please wear formal attire or costume" on Ticketmaster for their events. Even though this seems a little bit of an excessive request from the band, chances are fans will go along with it. It's unclear whether or not there will be some sort of enforcement for the dress code. "Formal attire" could be considered a vague requirement, up to interpretation.

Some of the arena shows will include a VIP package option that includes the pre-show Reflektor Karnaval with drinks and appetizers, an Arcade Fire lithograph, a gift bag and a commemorative VIP laminate, among other perks.

As Stereogum put it, some of their smaller exclusive shows were extremely hard to get into, so maybe requesting the dress code wasn't so crazy. "But demanding that 23,000 Kentuckians dress up like an extra in Baz Luhrmann's Great Gatsby to see a rock band at the KFC Yum! Center?"

"Asking attendees to dress up might seem to restore an air of specialness to unspecial tour stops at unspecial concrete behemoths that double as ice rinks and basketball courts-but nothing about a routine date in an arena decked out in corporate branding is arty," Slate reported heatedly. "And demanding that fans old and young scale many flights of steep stairs in ball gowns only to sit in seats possibly soaked with overpriced Bud Light from last night's hockey game seems less than thoughtful."

Chances are the very socially vocal band will Tweet their opinions should the crowds not oblige.

Tags

Arcade Fire, Reflektor