Arcade Fire have long been in a love affair with Ireland, a feeling which has been returned in kind by Irish music fans. The Montreal seven-piece played what has become known as a legendary gig at Electric Picnic in 2005 and now, six years later, the band are returning to the Stradbally stage - this time with a Grammy sitting atop their collective mantelpiece. Have things changed during that time? How does a small Canadian indie-rock outfit become one of the biggest and more critically acclaimed bands in the world? John Balfe spoke to Richard Reed Parry to find out more.