An alternative rock band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Founded in 2003 by the husband and wife team Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, the band's work features lush, anthemic arrangements and diverse instrumentation, necessitating a larger personnel than a traditional rock band.

Their first release, Funeral, in 2004 received critical acclaim from press and fans worldwide and was followed in 2007 by the equally successful Neon Bible.

Arcade Fire is known for its enthralling live performances, as well as its use of a large number of musical instruments. In addition to guitar, drums and bass guitar, members play piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, keyboard, French horn, accordion, hurdy gurdy and harp and mandolin. With several able musicians, Arcade Fire takes most of its instrumental diversity on tour and band members switch instrumental duties throughout their shows. The number of instruments, along with a wide set of musical influences has provided a substantial number of resources on which to draw during the recording process.

The promise showed by the band in its live shows allowed it to land a record contract with the independent record label Merge Records.