Despite its picturesque Bolton Canyon surroundings and musical landmark status, the Hollywood Bowl is hardly an ideal venue in which to experience a rock show. High-energy music tends to lose its punch and muscular definition in this type of massive, open-air environment. The 18,000-seat amphitheater and summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is much better suited to the more hushed tones of classical music and its more reserved patrons.

However, the adult alternative rock unit Arcade Fire proved to be well-suited to the cavernous environs of the Hollywood Bowl Thursday night. A lot of this had to do with the fact that, in concert, the Montreal outfit is as much an orchestra as it is a rock band. The Arcade Fire featured an astounding 10 musicians spread across the Bowl’s sprawling stage.

There were two violin players, two horn instrumentalists, three guitarists, a keyboardist, a drummer and one particularly impressive multi-instrumentalist. Instrumental versatility is a key component within the band. For example, the two horn-woodwind players tackled a slew of instruments, including French horn, tuba, various saxophones, trumpet and oboe.

The fetchingly animated RГ©gine Chass-agne proved to be Arcade Fire’s secret weapon as she played the hurdy gurdy, accordion, drums and several other percussion instruments. She also sang backup and even lead vocals on one song. Given the breadth and depth of the instrumentation and layered vocals, there was little wonder that there was an exotic grandeur to the Arcade Fire’s dark hued music on this cool September night.