Arcade Fire Held A David Bowie Parade That Shut Down New Orleans

It’s not even been a week since David Bowie passed away, but for some reason it feels like a lot longer. The extraordinary effect it has had on the music world, and the world as a whole, continues to be felt as waves of tributes from all over the globe are still being offered to honour The Thin White Duke. Whilst some are more sombre and emotive like covers by Gang Of Youths and Sarah Blasko, or incredibly personal like from Ricky Gervais and Brian Eno or even one of our editors, others have opted to celebrate his life in a lively fashion – and the latest tribute from Arcade Fire is perhaps the liveliest yet.

There are tributes, and then there are parades that shut down entire streets in the middle of New Orleans. Joined by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, hundreds upon hundreds of the Bowie faithful joined the bands as they moved through the streets singing songs like Heroes and Oh! You Pretty Things (which the parade, called “Pretty Things” was named after). Donning their best lightning bolts and Bowie garb, the streets were absolutely packed with people all getting in on the action, as Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Regine Chassagne led the march on megaphones and cowbells.

David Bowie's Jazz funeral w/ @PresHall band and @arcadefire in New Orleans pic.twitter.com/51Wtuq5ODp

— Daniel Peña (@danimalpena) January 16, 2016

This was the most serendipitous moment of this entire trip. They stopped in front of us. #davidbowie #arcadefire #neworleans @esibinski #bowiegras

A video posted by Keith Stachowiak (@_kstack) on Jan 16, 2016 at 2:42pm PST

Arcade Fire were quite close with David Bowie, having worked with him on their most recent album, 2013’s Reflektor and before that performing their rousing tune, Wake Up. After Bowie passed away, the band took to their Facebook to air their grief, saying:

“David Bowie was one of the band’s earliest supporters and champions. He not only created the world that made it possible for our band to exist, he welcomed us into it with grace and warmth. I will take to the grave the moments we shared; talking, playing music and collaborating as some of the most profound and memorable moments of my life. A true artist even in his passing, the world is more bright and mysterious because of him, and we will continue to shout prayers into the atmosphere he created.”