Arcade Fire returned to Saturday Night Live with the kind of presence only a band with six previous SNL appearances could deliver. The penultimate episode of season 50, hosted by Walton Goggins, featured the indie rock veterans as musical guests — and they didn’t just play. They owned the night.
Arcade Fire’s SNL appearance was a reunion with a touch of reflection
For a band that has appeared on SNL more times than some hosts have, Arcade Fire’s relationship with the show is almost symbiotic. Their 2013 season opener skit with Tina Fey, where they blurred the line between new cast members and band members, remains a fan favorite. This time around, there were no sketches with Win Butler pretending to be a cast newbie. Instead, the band gave two tightly executed performances that felt more like emotional callbacks than just another live TV gig.
Their first set, featuring “Pink Elephant,” a recent single from their latest album, landed with a punch. The lighting, the crowd energy, and Butler’s delivery combined into a moment that felt both nostalgic and urgent. It wasn’t about recapturing past glories—it was about standing firmly in the present.
“Year of the Snake” closed the show with quiet intensity
Their closing number, “Year of the Snake,” took a different tone. More muted, more contemplative, it offered a sharp contrast to the high-energy chaos of the sketches that preceded it. Butler’s guitar smash at the end wasn’t just theatrics—it was a release. A band in its prime, acknowledging the weight of time, change, and public scrutiny.
Given the recent storm of allegations surrounding Win Butler, it's impossible not to read some of this performance as a form of reckoning. Not with the intent to defend or accuse, but simply to note how public figures and artists often use platforms like SNL to move past controversies through sheer presence. Arcade Fire did that tonight. They didn't address the allegations directly—and they rarely have to. Their music and energy said enough.
SNL’s sketches gave Goggins room to roam, but Arcade Fire stole the emotional spotlight
Walton Goggins’ hosting was a study in contrast to the band’s grounded performances. From a cold open featuring Cecily Strong’s Jeanine Pirro backspin to a bizarre yet charming “Tiny Baby Shoe” musical sketch with Jane Wickline, Goggins showed range. He was creepy, playful, and southern-swashbuckling all in one night. But even with Goggins’ best efforts, the two Arcade Fire sets punctuated the show with a seriousness and artistry that sketches rarely achieve.
One of the night’s best moments wasn’t a sketch but a vibe—the kind of cultural resonance that only a show like SNL can provide when a band like Arcade Fire steps up. It's the same stage where they once joked with Tina Fey and now stand as seasoned artists grappling with what it means to be relevant, respected, and scrutinized in 2024.
What fans really got was a full-circle moment for SNL and Arcade Fire
Screen Rant contributor and former SNL cast member John Milhiser once shared how his parents risked health in the mosh pit for his first SNL show just to catch Arcade Fire’s energy. Moments like that define the band’s legacy on this platform. This week’s performance may not have been as chaotic, but it was no less impactful.
With one more episode left in the 50th season, Arcade Fire’s return feels like a quiet celebration of longevity—both for the band and the show. Neither is chasing youth or trendiness anymore. Both are reflecting, resonating, and still reaching audiences in meaningful ways.
Why this performance matters beyond the music
This wasn’t just another SNL musical guest slot. It was a reminder that certain artists and platforms grow together. That relevance isn’t about hype, but about honest expression. Arcade Fire gave SNL that in its penultimate episode of a milestone season. And that’s enough to make any performance memorable.