New York’s first annual High Line Festival opened last night with performances by The Arcade Fire and the National at Radio City Music Hall. Though the festival’s curator, David Bowie, didn’t take the stage, as was heavily rumored in the weeks leading up to the high-profile gig, Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler proved to be a man of the people, venturing into the crowd to sing near the end of his performance (indeed, a night earlier he brought approximately 200 fans onstage during the Arcade Fires encore at the United Palace Theater). While Arcade Fire didnt close its set with David Bowie either, the group did finish its performance with Wake Up, a number Bowie has performed with the band on several occasions.

The High Line festival will continue tonight and run throughout the week, offering shows by a diverse mix of bands, including Air/TV on the Radio (5/10, Theatre at MSG), The Polyphonic Spree/School of Seven Bells (5/11, Manhattan Center), Daniel Johnston/ Bang on a Can All-Stars (5/16, High Line Ballroom), Deerhoof (5/17, The Fillmore at Irving Plaza), Laurie Anderson (5/17, High Line Ballroom), and The Secret Machine (5/19, High Line Ballroom), among others. Bowie will also present a number of films, comedians, and visual art displays throughout mid-May.