The National- 6/15 (Concert Review)
Posted by Eric in Concert Reviews, Reviews, The Yellow Stereo
This past friday I was able to catch The National in Cincinnati. For anyone unaware, these guys are all Cincinnati natives, and Im very proud of this, being a native myself. I had seen these guys about 2 weeks before “Boxer” dropped in mid-May, while they were opening for Arcade Fire. At that show, I was surprised how few people knew of The National. (Friend and I were singing along and people were like “who are these guys?”) Since the release of Boxer, this has all changed, and they are selling out shows left and right.
One short phrase describes this show, “Emotionally Charged.” The show was sold out, in a small venue, and consisted of family and friends of the band, and the hardcore fans. As the band came out, you could totally catch the vibe that the crowd was stoked to be there, and the band was just as pumped to be playing in front of so many people they knew, back in their hometown. I don’t think I have ever seen that many 40 year old and over people at a concert like this, it was just that mixed.
The band played a mix of tunes mostly from their most recent releases “Boxer” and “Alligator”, with a couple tracks thrown in from “Cherry Tree.” The surprise of the show for me came with “Secret Meeting.” While I like the track on the album (Alligator), I was completely blown away with how great it sounded live. Other than that track, I thoroughly enjoyed the heavy hitters near the end of the show. Mr. November is my favorite track to hear live out of their collection, and I feel the intensity that Matt brings rocking the mic is contagious to the entire crowd. Karen is a personal favorite, so I was thrilled to hear it.
Throughout the show I was blown away with the quality and clarity of the music and vocals, and how the band as a whole came together, without any instruments sticking out. Matt did his usual wandering of the stage with his powering baritone voice, while the two sets of twins in the band were rock steady with it all. (Aaron (Guitar) and Bryce (Guitar), and Bryan (Drums) and Scott (Bass)). Along with these Five, there was a multi-talented guy playing piano and organ, and violin and clarinet. I wish I had caught his name, because it was incredible to watch him bounce around between instruments, and especially great seeing him on violin.
In addition, I was fortunate enough to be standing next to Matt’s mom up front during the entire show. She was such a nice lady, and Matt was sharing his wine with her, and we urged her to go onstage at some point for quick five seconds. It was nice chatting with her during and after the show, getting some insight on the band, and seeing just how proud she was of those guys.
The openers for the show were Talkdemonic, and Shapes and Sizes. Talkdemonic was very good, and for a two member instrumental band they really brought it. Shapes and Sizes were also good, but they had loads of sound issues, with mics not being at correct volumes, and their synthesizer was way too loud. They played a short 7 song set, and before and during they kept asking the sound guy to fix the sounds. He must of been on a smoke break, because he didn’t change it enough. I enjoy the tracks I have heard off of their album “Split Lips, Winning Hips, a Shiner,” and I recommend you all give it a listen.
In Summary, this show was intense, and intimate, and it left we wanting to hear more. So much more in fact, that my friend and I looked into getting tickets for their show the next night in Columbus, OH. Unfortunately it was sold out. Check these guys out, and if you don’t already own your own copy of “Boxer”, go out and snag it, because I can guarantee it will be top 10 this year on many a list.
The National – Website, Myspace, Amazon
Shapes and Sizes – Website, Myspace, Amazon
Talkdemonic – Website, Myspace, Amazon
Set List-
Start a War
Mistaken for Strangers
Secret Meeting
Brainy
Slow Show
Baby
Racing
Squalor Victoria
Geese
Apartment Story
Wasp Nest
Lit Up
Daughters
Ada
Fake Empire
Mr. November
Encore-
Karen
Abel
About Today
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Thanks for your review! I’ll be seeing them in September at the ACL Music Festival. It can’t get here soon enough! I’m really enjoying Boxer and Alligator, and it’s nice to read that “Mr. November” delivers Live.
Nice review!
cheers,
b.s.
I loved alligator, and i’m loving even more Boxer! They’re coming to Portugal on august, and i’m doing the best i can to see them… great review by the way!
can’t wait to see them on Wednesday at the 9:30 club
The sixth fellow might have possibly been Padma Newsome from Clogs (a member of the National is also in this band, though I don’t remember which). I just remember seeing a picture of him and thinking “Whoa, Padma’s a guy?!”
Thanks T… that is definitely who that is. According to Matt’s mother today here is what she said in her email to me: “The violinist is Padma Newsome who hails from Australia and plays in another group, the Clogs with Bryce Desner.”
I cannot get over how incredibly talented Padma was on all the instruments he played, especially the Violin. He was doing great bow work but also strumming the violin like a little mandolin or guitar (I guess in The Clogs he plays mandolin.)
Thanks for the great review and the downloads Eric, it sounds like it was quite an experience. I’m really enjoying listening to ‘The Boxer’ which was purchased off the back of those support slots with The Arcade Fire and hope to catch them this side of the pond soon.
Thanks for the review. I came looking for a set list for when I see them on Thursday here. I am getting excited! God, I hope they play Karen at my show too!
Hope you were able to catch their short acoustic set at Shake It. Very impressive.
Found about your site on monday thru Hype Machine while looking for something new under the sun. Stumbled across the National track (never heard of them before) and really liked it. Clicked on your blog and read your review. Threw my head up in dispair cause you said the show was in Cincy and me being from Ohio and all, there went my chance to see them i figured. I am never that lucky enough…i go ahead and check their site anyway, and, there’s still tickets left for a Pittsburgh show!!
Ended up driving to the show and picked up The Boxer at a independent record shop down the street from the venue. Had a GREAT time last night, even if i didn’t know all the lyrics, the vibe and sound they put out is just incredible. I’ve never been to a show where as soon as the song was over, the crowd roared it’s appreciation, and then the whole room went pretty silent. Almost like everyone catching their breath for a bit…amazing…
So, the next time someone says that downloading is ruining the music, remember me! Those that never will buy music just NEVER WILL. Those that love it, they just have to support it on some level!
Thanks SO much for your site. If only the 9:30 Club date fell on a weekend!!
~Phil
Thanks Phil, glad you enjoy their sound. I hope that you keep checking out this site, and checking out some of the bands we talk about. The music Blog scene is incredible for finding out about new bands, especially in tandem with Hype Machine…
Hey speaking of The National, tonight at the 9:30 club, NPR is streaming them live at this website:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11115591
The show goes down at 10pm so set your watches… 10pm, usually they keep their podcasts up for about a week, so you can catch them hopefully during the week (I am going by here-say on this…)
Superdutta, I didn’t catch their shake it show, I heard that was good as well. Was it acoustic??? I really just wanted to make sure I was up front to see them at 20th Century.
The Shake It performance was acoustic indeed. They played one of my personal faves, “You’ve Done it Again, Virginia”, so it was definitely worth my time.