Our photographer Valerio Berdini took the short trip to London last week to witness the impressive National live show. Their recent album, Boxer, is certain to be one of the must own albums of the year. Enjoy the photos!

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In a rare Denver appearance (I’d heard this was only their second time playing here, the last instance being two years ago), The National gig at the Ogden Theater capped off a long weekend of absolutely terrific live music in my hometown. Between Okkervil River, Monolith Festival, and the Arcade Fire/LCD Soundsystem spectacle, however, they did have some hard acts to follow.

Annie Clark (a.k.a. St. Vincent) opened the show - I’d had conflicting feelings about how I would receive her; though I’d only given it a couple of listens, I hadn’t warmed to her critically acclaimed solo debut Marry Me. She played her set in near darkness, continuously shifting between guitar, synthesizers and drums. For such a tiny wisp of a woman, Annie certainly has a commanding, and at times angelic, voice. I enjoyed her set quite a bit, and even gained a new appreciation for her album.

The National took the stage with little fanfare; it soon became obvious that this band is all about the music and not so much about appearances. They blazed through their set, covering most of the material from Boxer along with plenty of older favorites. Altered arrangements on certain songs made for some interesting twists – the most notable being a more up-tempo “Racing Like A Pro”, a rocked out “Squalor Victoria”, and a maniacal, lose all abandon, rendition of “Mr. November” to end the show.

The performance was much more energetic (I’d even go so far as to say explosive) than I would have expected from listening to their albums. Though seemingly a bit nervous and out of place between songs, Matt Berninger is a captivating front man. I found it difficult to tear my attention away from his arm-flailing, mike-stand strangling antics enough to give the rest of the band notice. What I did take in is how professional and talented this band is. The brothers Dessner, along with Scott Devendorf, seemed to go about their business quietly, providing the perfect backdrop for Berninger’s gorgeous lyrics. Bryan Devendorf is just about as good of a drummer as you’re likely to find anywhere. Despite the above average performances of all involved, though, the real highlight was the instrument-hopping, part-time-National Padma Newsome. In addition to his keyboard work, the man is a complete fiend on the violin.

The National proved themselves more than worthy to cap off what had to have been the best five days of indie rock this state has ever seen. Moreover, they succeeded in entrenching Boxer ever deeper as my choice of album of the year. Let’s just hope they don’t wait another two years to come back through town.

Links
The National [boxer album review] [interview]

As I’ve mentioned before, my musical knowledge advances at a rate best measured in geological timescales, so it was only when I came across a mesmerising live on French TV (as I remember) version of Start A War posted on this very site, that The National got a real foothold in my consciousness. But I know a good thing when I see it, and I was instantly converted. On Monday night I saw them kick off their current live tour with an hour at Fopp Records at Tottenham Court Road – a marvelously relaxed and intimate way to first encounter these guys live. In what could have doubled for a run-through in their garage, they dusted off most of Boxer and a couple of raucous favourites from Alligator in preparation for the following night’s big show.

Having spent the rest of that night enjoying Wilco at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, and a fractured journey home afterwards, I was a bit low on energy and opted to lurk upstairs at the Astoria for the first time. I couldn’t quite bring myself to sit down, and secured a nice standing view on the balcony as North Carolina’s Annuals spilled out on stage to an already pretty full audience. They seemed to feed off this atmosphere, and turned in a spectacularly entertaining set. I’m a fan of most of Be He Me, and they brought those quirky indie-pop songs to life with an energy not often seen in a support act. And four out of the six of them are closet drummers. A tad too loud at times to allow some of that quirkiness to breath properly, but all in all top marks for effort, and I was glad to have caught them.

Half an hour later the Astoria was heaving and Simon and Garfunkel’s The Boxer (not sure if there’s a real link of some sort there) heralded The National’s rather endearingly disheveled entrance on stage. For a band with such potential, they need to work on their stage craft, but that is part of their appeal. Only drummer Bryan Devendorf is cultivating a mean demeanor with some kind of long black haired Rhys Ifans thing going on, the others are thoroughly nice young men (I was lucky enough to have a few words with some of them on the Monday night). Your mother would like them. Which makes their brooding songs all the more unexpected. Scratch the surface and we all have our anxieties and fears - often only find release in surrender to your fate and rising above – if you’re lucky.  

Start A War kicked things off, and Fake Empire was another obvious highlight in their demonstration of the art of the smoldering build present in many of their songs. Ongoing collaborator Padma Newsome added texture with keyboards, mandolin and violin, and the drumming was a talking point for many throughout. Reluctant front man Matt Berninger seems trapped on stage. Most of the time he looks like he would much rather be somewhere else, awkward and fidgety, driving himself to stay in the limelight and work himself into the mindset required to deliver. He must have a set of false fingernails on the rider each night. His bandmates must call him Forrest. It’s compelling. Then, unseen, the pressure builds as if Mr. Nice Guy has been taunted that little bit too far just once too often. From nowhere an incendiary version of Mr. November explodes and the crowd follow suite. A jaw-drop moment – magnificent. Mr. Nice Guy is almost crowd surfing as the expletives flow. Still waters run deep.

Abel in the encore is another burst of rage to contrast with the majestic beauty of Daughters Of The Soho Riots. The band have enjoyed their reception and the full house. The album is all set to do great things. The Astoria’s time is running out apparently, despite petitions and protests, and nights like this will be sorely missed. And I was there all because of that video posted on TLOBF … I think I owe someone a pint.

The National have just announced a show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire at the start of November. Your ever attentive reporter has managed to loose one of the advertising slips being handed out, but you know where to check. Don’t miss it.

Links
The National [official site] [myspace] [album review] [interview]

For the next three weeks we’ll be posting up classic shows from The Black Sessions series - a radio show from France that has been running since 1992 (click here for more info on the show). Kicking things off we have a fantastic set from The National - recorded in 2005 whilst the band were touring Aligator, this is a really beautiful set featuring jaw dropping performances of All The Wine and Daughters Of The Soho Riots. Listening to this certainly wets the appetite even more for upcoming new album Boxer which is released May 21st on Beggars Banquet.

Enjoy the show and remember to check back next monday for the next show in our Black Sessions series, take our word for it - its a classic.

1. All The Wine [download mp3 ♫]
2. Secret Meeting [download mp3 ♫]
3. Driver Suprise Me [download mp3 ♫]
4. Lit Up [download mp3 ♫]
5. Cherry Tree [download mp3 ♫]
6. Baby, We’ll Be Fine [download mp3 ♫]
7. Geese [download mp3 ♫]
8. City Middle [download mp3 ♫]
9. Looking for Astronauts [download mp3 ♫]
10. Mr November [download mp3 ♫]
11. Daughters of the Soho Riots [download mp3 ♫]
12. Abel [download mp3 ♫]
13. Wasp Net [download mp3 ♫]
Bitrate: 192kbps

The National have unveiled a track from their forthcoming album Boxer released on May 22nd through Beggars Banquet. Its a wonderful introduction to what could be a serious contender for TLOBF’s album of the year.

The National - Fake Empire [download]

Full album tracklisting is:

1. Fake Empire
2. Mistaken For Strangers
3. Brainy
4. Squalor Victoria
5. Green Gloves
6. Slow Show
7. Apartment Story
8. Start A War
9. Guest Room
10. Racing Like A Pro
11. Ada
12. Gospel

The band will set out on tour to promote the release, playing the London Astoria on the album release date.

Dates:
May 22 LONDON Astoria
May 23 PARIS La Maroquinerie
May 25 BERLIN Magnet
May 28 NEW YORK Bowery Ballroom (with The Broken West)
May 29 NEW YORK Bowery Ballroom (with Doveman)
May 30 NEW YORK Bowery Ballroom (with My Brightest Diamond)
May 31 NEW YORK Bowery Ballroom (with Elysian Fields)
Jun 02 PHILADELPHIA Johnny Brendas
Jun 04 MONTREAL Cabaret
Jun 05 TORONTO Opera House
Jun 06 DETROIT Magic Stick
Jun 07 CHICAGO Metro
Jun 08 MINNEAPOLIS 400 Bar
Jun 09 MADISON TBA
Jun 11 ST LOUIS Duck Room
Jun 12 LOUISVILLE Headliners
Jun 13 ATLANTA The Earl
Jun 14 MANCHESTER (US) Bonnaroo Music Festival
Jun 15 CINCINNATI 20th Century Theater
Jun 16 COLUMBUS The Basement
Jun 18 CLEVELAND Beachland Ballroom
Jun 19 PITTSBURGH Rex Theater
Jun 20 WASHINGTON DC 9:30 Club
Jun 21 BOSTON Middle East Downstairs
Jun 25 SAN DIEGO Casbah
Jun 26 LOS ANGELES El Rey Theater
Jun 27 SAN FRANCISCO Bimbos 365 Club
Jun 28 PORTLAND Berbatis Pan
Jun 29 VANCOUVER Richards On Richard
Jun 30 SEATTLE Neumos

Links:
The National [official site] [myspace]
Beggars Banquet [official site]