More than six hundred fifty million people have visited the Mall of America since it opened eighteen years ago. Now the owners have plans for a large addition. The “Phase Two” plan will nearly double the size of the mall. When it is complete, there will be enough room for up to nine hundred stores.

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Arcade Fire

DOUG JOHNSON: The band Arcade Fire is very hot right now. It released a new album, “The Suburbs,” last week. The band played two sold-out shows at the twenty thousand seat Madison Square Garden in New York City. And director Terry Gilliam filmed one of those concerts for a live video broadcast on YouTube August fifth. Mario Ritter has more on Arcade Fire and its music.

MARIO RITTER: Régine Chassagne and Win Butler formed Arcade Fire in Montreal, Canada, in two thousand three. The husband and wife both play several instruments and sing.

They are joined in the band by Butler’s brother William, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury, Sarah Neufeld and Jeremy Gara.The seven musicians produce a big sound, like in “Wake Up” from their first album, “Funeral.”

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Arcade Fire was a critical favorite from the beginning. “Funeral” came out in two thousand four. Rolling Stone magazine named it the number two rock album of the last ten years. Blender Magazine said it was one of top one hundred indie rock albums of all time. Arcade Fire starting opening in concerts for major bands like U2 and working with big names like David Bowie.