Last Night: Arcade Fire & Explosions In The Sky at The Backyard [5.3.11]

We had a great time at Arcade Fire & Explosions In The Sky on Tuesday evening at The (new) Backyard! While the venue has some parking issues to work out, we have to say the performance by Arcade Fire was (as always) full of energy, with the crowd hanging onto every last word.

Now onto the pictures of both bands and videos of "The Suburbs" and "No Cars Go". Hope you enjoy!

Explosions In The Sky:

Arcade Fire:

"The Suburbs"

"No Cars Go"

Arcade Fire Announce Tour (w/ Austin Date at The Backyard 5/3)

Coming off their huge "Best Album" win at The Grammys last week Arcade Fire has now announced a string of dates and lucky for us we get one in Austin at The Backyard on May 3rd. Local Natives and Explosions in The Sky will offer support on specific legs of the tour with Austin getting Explosions opening.No word on ticket sales but we will announce those details the second we find out via Twitter. (@ultra8201)

Updated: Tickets go on sale Friday, March 4th at 10 am. (Thanks JD)

Arcade Fire 2011 Tour Dates:

04/09 – Broomfield, CO @ 1st Bank Center
04/11 – Orem, UT @ UCCU Center
04/13 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
04/14 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
04/16 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Music Festival
04/18 – Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Convention Center
04/20 – Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Amphitheatre
04/22 – Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion
04/24 – Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion
04/25 – Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion
04/27 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Lawn at White River State Park
04/28 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
04/30 – Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavilion
05/03 – Austin, TX @ The Backyard
05/04 – The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
05/06 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz Fest
06/09-12 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music Festival

The "New" Backyard Has Received Approval

Looks like The Backyard is not dead after all.  According to Austin360:

Tim O’Connor and Direct Event received approval Tuesday from the city of Bee Cave to change the zoning of the proposed land for the new Backyard. Which means that the new location is a go.

Groundbreaking will begin this spring on the new, 35-acre location off of Highway 71, west of the 620 intersection. The frontage entrance will be located on the proposed Bee Cave Parkway extension and will be adjacent to the 50-acre Bee Cave City Park.

Plans include expanding the venue’s capacity from approximately 5,000 to 7,500 and containing all parking on-site.

The original Backyard was constructed in 1993. O’Connor closed its doors on Oct. 26 after a blowout concert headlined by perpetual Backyard performer Willie Nelson.

More on the new location here.

Hopefully that means more shows at The "New, Bigger" Backyard and not too many more shows at the Austin Music Hall, since Direct Events owns both.