Patriotism may be the last refuge of the scoundrel, but Nationalism is another check point for the tasteful.
The sold out former cinema of the O2 Academy played the humble host for a band which continue to exceed expectation. The National’s latest album ‘HighViolet’, the bands 8th would you believe, has finally exposed them to a wider audience, the result of which there to see tonight and with the bands current sold out tour.
The National’s latest mix of often anxious, at times heartbreaking and always sublime songs from their latest album played a major part in a show which overwhelmingly succeeded in satisfying the sceptical (my +1), the snooty (fellow music press boys) and the devout (me).
The tall frame of an almost shy looking Matt Berninger was the main visual centre piece throughout the show – clinging to the mic as if his life depended on it his voice commanded those on-looking from start to finish, the majority of the crowd believing every facial emotion and hanging on every word uttered.
The current tours set list was more or less set for every show, so it was with great anticipation that we waited in the darkness for tonight’s gentle heartstring pulling opener ‘Runaway’. Not the blistering assault sound invader usually chosen by more predictable ‘rock’ bands to kick off a show, it gently eased the crowd into an evening which would heavily focus on atmospheric melancholy (‘Sorrow’), potential stadium *gasp* filling anthems (Fake Empire) and, now, old favourites like the majestical ‘Mr November’. The latter seeing the aforementioned timid frontman discard his previous inhibitions and wander around the frantic crowd, becoming a kind of likeable less sanctimonious Bono’ character for a few blissful moments. How he managed to get back on the stage is a mystery.
In a brief stray into standard ‘Rock-band’ territory, the band bid their unnecessary farewells to the crowd for the 2nd last time before returning a few moments later to end things how they started it. The encore provided more of what makes the National the band they are.
Their brand of uplifting melancholy (and brilliance) was communicated further with the shows closing songs which consisted of tunes fans will know inside out by now – the slowly-rousing ‘Terrible Love’ and beautifully dejected ‘About Today’ ringed out perfectly. The night’s final treat came as a revised and acoustic version of ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’, the band gathering together at the front of the stage with Matt Berninger and guitarist Bryce Dessner coming inches from the crowd, telling of how they’ll ‘explain everything to the geeks’, although until their next album the geeks amongst us will have to wait till they appear again.
Review By Ray Jackson
