Back in March, it was reported that the acclaimed indie rock band performed a show in Port-au-Prince, Haiti at the Hotel Oloffson. It just so happens that the owner of the hotel is also the leader of the celebrated drum troupe, RAM.
So with both bands booked at the 2011 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival the tantalizing idea of a repeat performance was not out of the question. Fans of both groups expected RAM to sit in with Arcade Fire during Montreal-based rock group’s headlining set on Friday afternoon especially when the group’s leader gave a shout out to the Haitians from the massive Acura stage.
The opposite actually occurred. Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, the husband and wife duo that front Arcade Fire, joined RAM for their closing set on the considerably smaller Jazz and Heritage stage Sunday evening.
Chassagne took the lead and sang a stunning piece as members of the Haitian band surrounded her. Butler played guitar and was clearly enjoying a chance to perform once more in New Orleans. (Photos by Ann Marie Brennan)
