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The National
8 out of 10 - Great. Good show.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Terminal 5 - New York NY
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Photo: © bumpershine 2007
Just as the rain began, people started shuffling slowly into the brand new Terminal 5 mega-rock club for the National and St. Vincent show. The facility smelled of fresh paint and had obviously been renovated in preparation for the inaugural event. And since it was opening night, concertgoers were wandering in circles looking for necessities like bathrooms and bars, as the signs on the walls confused rather than clarified.
The venue is huge, with three floors, a giant stage and plenty of sitting room. It is the kind of rock club that assures you that the artist you are seeing will soon be playing stadiums and dating celebrities.
When the National took the stage - after a reportedly stellar St. Vincent performance (Unfortunately, I was a bit late) – the crowd broke into a roar.
“How’s it going? Welcome to T5” started National singer, Matt Beringer, before the band began the opening notes of “Start a War” from the album Boxer. From this point on, the group continued to build a momentum that didn’t halt until the lights came up and a wave of people made there way toward the exits.
The sound system at the new venue complimented the talented band greatly. The lyrics were easily understood and the instruments merged seamlessly. The band transitioned from song to song perfectly, as the sold out crowd danced and sang.
Not too long after the first track, the show hit high gear when the chords from the heartbreaking song, “Slow Show” were recognized. There was no stopping the band now, as they moved right into a great version of “Squalor Victoria” – a track that is easily lost in the mix on Boxer. But live, the looping piano, pounding drums and “Raise our heavenly glasses to the heavens” hook had everyone lifting there plastic cups in excited agreement. Choosing to keep everyone moving, the band played the much heavier “Abel” - a standout track from the album Alligator – with the “My minds not right” chorus, that was very convincingly screamed by Beringer. .
Even though the band was still rocking hard and seemingly enjoying themselves, it appeared apparent that the end was almost near. On the song “Racing Like a Pro”, the extremely talented, Padma Newsome, somehow changed the song from ballad to rocker with a spectacular violin solo that brought the song to a close. Expectations may have been to hear a “goodnight and thank you” from the band.
But it didn’t come.
The National played five more tracks, including “Ada” (which Beringer informed is about social anxiety) and a phenomenal version of “Fake Empire”, before leaving the stage and prepping for the encores.
When they returned, Beringer thanked the grateful crowd for having them as the first act at Terminal 5. With a bottle of Champagne in his left hand, he popped the cork and christened the stage; by sipping, pouring some to the floor and handing the bottle to a lucky fan. And then the music started again
Annie Clark (St. Vincent) joined the band singing backing vocals beautifully on “Green Gloves”. But the shows ultimate highlight was the last song - a scorching version of “Mr. November” that nearly brought the brand new building down.
“I’m Mr. November I won’t fuck us over!” And – it seemed – Mr. November kept his word, as most left happily, flooding the streets and humming that chorus.
1. Start a War
2. Mistaken for Strangers
3. Secret Meeting
4. Brainy
5. Baby We’ll Be Fine
6. Slow Show
7. Squalor Victoria
8. Abel
9. All the Wine
10. Racing Like a Pro
11. Ada
12. Apartment Story
13. Daughters of the Soho Riots
14. Fake Empire
15. About Today
Encore
16. Green Gloves
17. Mr. November
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| Nick Greto |
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Read More About: The National
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