Thanks to internet ticketing, the fact that Arcade Fire sold out this week's five London comeback shows, all in relatively small venues, in less than two minutes means little.

But standing in the presence of this extraordinary group, it was hard not to believe that this exquisite former church was where the entire world wanted to be last night.

The Montreal septet were not instant successes when their debut album first appeared in 2004, but slowly made rabid converts of anyone lucky enough to catch one of their passionate, ecstatic concerts.

The first chance for a UK audience to hear new songs from March's second album, Neon Bible, was one to grab with both hands.

The acoustics in the imposing space meant that the sound soared upwards to the rafters rather than hitting the crowd in the gut, as at a conventional rock venue, but the music lost little of its power.

With the help of horn players, strings and a core band who played everything from accordion to marching drum, new tracks such as Keep the Car Running and The Well And The Lighthouse sounded huge, as grandiose as the twin pillars that framed the stage.

Butler's wife Régine Chassagne gave a cavernous organ sound to Intervention, an impassioned howl of a song, as well as playing drums and singing stately older track Haiti.

The sprightly strum of Antichrist Television Blues and devastating ballad My Body is a Cage were more highlights, but it was the surprise encore that trumped everything.

Leaving the stage through a side door, the band reappeared outside on the steps to busk their way through Wake Up, neighbours hanging out of windows to see the crowd singing the wordless chorus.

At this magical conclusion, Smith Square really did feel like the centre of the universe.