Arcade Fire Blames Apple After Backlash Over V. Obnoxious Gig Dress Code

Tickets for the show (which is set to take place at Grand Prospect Hall on Thursday) were made available to punters based on their response to the question “What do you like about the first single from the new album?“. According to Consequence of Sound, successful applicants received an email detailing a strict dress code and a ‘no phone’ policy:

“PHONE-FREE VIEWING EXPERIENCE:

No cellphones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at this show. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured in Yondr pouches that will be unlocked at the end of the show. Guests maintain possession of their phones throughout the night, and if needed, may access their phones at designated Yondr unlocking stations in the lobby.

“WHAT TO WEAR:

Our dress code is HIP & TRENDY as if you are going to a concert or night out with friends! The event is standing-room-only so please plan accordingly.

“PLEASE DO NOT WEAR shorts, large logos, flip flops, tank tops, crop tops, baseball hats, solid white or red clothing. We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone dressed inappropriately.

“WHAT TO EXPECT

6:30pm: 1iota Check-in Opens

7:45pm: 1iota Check-in Closes

8:30pm – 9:00pm: Everything Now Live“

Between having to give up their sweet, cherished mobile device and being confronted with the hideous words “hip” and “trendy” (who says this), people were quite perturbed. 

After it got written up in a few places, frontman Win Butler took to Twitter to say that they had nothing to do with it:

Band has nothing to do with a dress code or taking people’s phones. Must be an @apple thing. Maybe Black turtlenecks 🙂

— win butler (@DJWindows98) July 24, 2017

Shortly thereafter, the band released a tongue-in-cheek faxed statement from a ‘Tannis Wright‘, who purports to be the social media manager for the fictional company created for promotion of the upcoming album:

Statement faxed in from Tannis Wright, social media strategist for @EverythingNowCo re: Brooklyn “rules.” pic.twitter.com/pqgrT3JBwj

— Arcade Fire (@arcadefire) July 24, 2017

They’ve also quite flatly said that the dress code is bullshit, in a much less tongue-in-cheek manner:

If dress code is “hip and trendy”, band members will not be allowed through the door…hip and trendy people will have to play the music ??

— Arcade Fire (@arcadefire) July 24, 2017

Band announces, “Wear whatever you want to any show.” This has been an actual band announcement ?? https://t.co/2jtHzHojJD

— Arcade Fire (@arcadefire) July 24, 2017

Regardless, please pray for poor, fictional Tannis:

They told me I can’t go now because of all this. 🙁

— Arcade Fire (@arcadefire) July 24, 2017

Sweet, gentle Tannis.