Arcade Fire at Earl's Court (via Tower Hill)

One of the great things about working in the City (which we take for granted) is that we are surrounded by many of England's most iconic buildings, old and new.

Friday I happened to have a trustee meeting at the offices of one of the main pension consultants, and the meeting room overlooks the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Its the sort of spot a Russian oligarch would love to have as his penthouse flat. Well anyone would, but only an oligarch could afford it. I have been there several times before but not with a camera. I just happened to be going to the gig after work and so had it with me. Pretty special eh?

And afterwards, being such a lovely day, I walked back to my office past the new Walkie Talkie block. As I say, one is surrounded by wonders old and very new. These new skyscrapers are adding to the skyline, not spoiling it.

Interesting juxtaposition of old and new don't you think?

Ok so much for the day job. Onto Arcade Fire at Earls Court, soon to be demolished. Its a pretty cavernous venue, and for once I had failed to secure standing tickets, so we were right at the back, but with a head on view of the stage. Wasn't too bad really.

But as a gig, well gig of the year I think. Arcade Fire are just such a prodigiously talented band with a wonderful multi-layered sound produced by their large cast of musicians and singers.

First up in support was an idiosyncratic young fellow Canadian, Owen Pallett. A high pitched voice over an electric violin, he had an interesting sound although I would probably prefer to hear him on cd rather than go to see him.

Arcade Fire came on to Reflektor, title track to their latest album. This the most dance-orientated of their albums. And the other thing about Arcade Fire is that they really are artists. Its not just their ability to play a whole host of musical instruments and weave them into their own sound, but they also put on a show. So with Reflektor, at the opposite end of the venue (ie below us) on a second stage, up pops this bloke in full mirror glass outfit. This would be the ultimate fancy dress costume. You wouldn't go unnoticed, although I fancy going to the loo might be troublesome.

The gig progressed with a long set of stuff across all their albums with a fine light show. Never less than entertaining. For a good two hours. We got our money's worth.

And then to my delight who should they invite on for a guest appearance but Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen, who I am going to see Sunday night. My delight was palpable. He played the best version of "Spare us the Cutter" I have heard; great singer, great song, backed by an even better band that the Bunnymen. Just wonderful.

Sadly he only got the one song, but on we went. The back stage was then employed for a group of dancers, then again for the mirror man.

Finally into encore territory and surprisingly a few covers, including Bittersweet Symphony. They finished with the a stomping sing-a-long Wake Up from their first album, allowing all the audience to join in with its slowly winding up choruses. Accompanied by much sparkly confetti. We felt they had pulled out all the stops. Awesome, a magical show.