At times last night at Summerstage, The Arcade Fire nearly owned the very humid air itself. At other moments, their energy seemed to be swallowed the moment it left their instruments. The flame may have flickered, but it was not extinguished, thanks to a final run of four inspired songs. By the end, after David Bowie helped Central Park literally Wake Up, the night was a success.

It's not really fair to hold last night up against the last time I saw the Arcade Fire live. That show, at Irving Plaza in February (it seems like that show took place years ago), was a church revival, intense and emotional. Summerstage on Thursday was akin to the symphony in the park, except fewer picnic baskets. Most of the audience came to observe, rather than participate.

The malaise was on the band as well. Despite an engaging start, the show slowed considerably when they chose to play a stretch of non-album tracks. I could really feel the audience's excitement dissipating with each mid-tempo obscurity the Arcade Fire pulled out. Disappointment was in the air.

Fortunately the band either sensed this or were incensed enough to shake off the stupor. Beginning with the stomping "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)", which then melted into an intense "Rebellion (Lies)" to close the set. Then, after a quick break, the Arcade Fire called up a pinch-hitter to deliver the insurance runs. Out came David Bowie, dressed in white, to join the band for one of his own songs, "Queen Bitch" and to close the night, a fashionably rocking version of "Wake Up." Cameras came out from all corners. So did the smiles. We could all go home happy and sweaty.

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