REVIEW: THE NATIONAL AT BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY (24/11/10)
Having last left The National playing to an intimate crowd as the sun set over the Suffolk countryside at this summer’s Latitude Festival, I had my reservations as to whether the intimacy and intensity with which the band have now become synonymous would translate to Bristol’s heaving O2 Academy. It is fair to say theirs’ is no ‘overnight success story’, but if tonight’s turnout is anything to go by (packed to the rafters for this long-ago sold out gig), it proves they have well and truly won over the masses and steadfastly gained a dedicated following over the last decade, a decade which culminated in the release of the highly successful fifth album, ‘High Violet’ in May. Having previously played Bristol’s significantly more diminutive Cube Cinema in previous incarnation Clogs, the Brooklyn-based fivesome seem genuinely chuffed at all the eager faces, lead singer Matt Berninger touchingly quipping ‘they really stuff you guys in here don’t they?!’.
An eerie stillness descends as the arpeggiated strings and driving drumbeats of opening song ‘Runaway’ fill the space. This slow-builder might seem an odd choice as opener but Berninger’s impassioned rumbling baritone is breathtakingly personal, a trademark honesty which makes the songs so special.
Next up, the anthemic ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ where Berninger’s repetitive chanting sweeps like wild fire around the crowd, backed by Devendorf’s cathartic drumming and pulsating percussive crescendos the energy in the room is palpable. The inclusion of a second bass guitar for the rendition of Afraid of Everyone drives the room in to a tempo that is carried through with personal favourite Slow Show – just one of the songs played for those who’ve been riding the wave of The National throughout their musical venture. Boxer’s Squalor Victoria, Mistaken For Strangers and ‘closer’ Fake Empire sit perfectly alongside Sad Song for Easy Lovers’ Lucky You and Alligator’s All The Wine – reminding the crowd of the bruised soul connection they made with Berninger et al as long as five years ago.
The National are quite content to play the genial fatalists, there’s no denying that, at times, their songs are unrelentingly bleak – with a wry smile Berninger introduces ‘Sorrow’ with an apology of sorts ‘it’s super depressing’ and on another ‘here’s another socially awkward song about never leaving your house’. Overcast and post-punk realists they may be, but the true quality that comes from their live shows is their self-effacing awareness of a band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Introducing ‘England’ as a song written to ‘win over’ their transatlantic allies, Dessner’s perfectly excusatory response to an over-enthusiastic heckler was to grant him acknowledgement and acclaim ‘you’re funnier than us’ before cajoling Berninger into a barrel roll on the stage.
If there was one disappointing facet of the evening, it was the silence between songs – not uncommon when you are enjoying a band at the top of their game, but having this silence filled with inane song requests quickly became trying and frustrating. Luckily some of the crowd had saved their voices to join in with crowd favourites Abel, Mr November and Conversation 16 before being summoned once more for the closing epitaph of the evening. Ditching their overdrive and electric energy, a darkly beautiful final song encore of ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’ stole the show. Backed by their resident trumpeter, trombonist and the 1600 vocalists in the capacity crowd, it was a perfect moment of affirmation for The National – proof that they are able to constantly exceed the burgeoning anticipation of their every-growing empire. A Fake Empire? Not on this showing.
Words: Annie Scott and Matthew Tickner
