by Matt Kelchner
With a new album recently released, not even the downpours from the remains of tropical storm Andrea could stop The National on Friday night. The Brooklyn five piece ripped through a 22 song set that featured songs old and new. Accompanied by fellow Brooklynites Dirty Projectors, the two band showed the brave fans who ventured out that night why the trek was worth it.
Taking to the stage shortly after 7:30 PM, Dirty Projectors played to a wet, soaked audience. Ranging from the fully prepared to the completely drenched, fans started to trickle in while Dirty Projectors played through such hits as “Swing Lo Magellan”, “Stillness Is The Move” and “Just From Chevron”. While the band looked somewhat lost spread so far out on The Mann Center’s huge stage, things began to come together towards the end of the set. The highlight from their set was, without doubt, the harmonies and sheer beauty from the set of female vocals thanks to Amber Coffman and co. “Stillness Is The Move”, which was played towards the end and before the groups big “rock n roll” ending, was the stand out from the night. Stretched out for a little bit of jamming, the band seemed to give it their all during the Bitte Orca single. As Dirty Projectors went off stage, the venue was continuing to fill up more and more determined fans.
Trouble Will Find Me, the new album from The National, was released on May 23rd via 4AD Records. Pitchfork slapped their coveted “Best New Music” tag on it. Rolling Stone gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Metacritic, the review aggregating site, pulled together 41 different reviews that averaged out to an overall score of 84 out of 100. With that said, expectations were set high. Very high. And after a career spanning 2+ hour set, those expectations were met.
Complete with an insane amount of lights (a wall on each side of the stage and massive video screen behind them) and expanded band with two multi-instrumentalists, The National were set to show off their new album. Lead singer Matt Berninger mentioned early on the band’s love for the venue. They even entertained the crowd by sharing stories of playing one of their older songs “Daughters of the Soho Riots” at the Khyber years ago. For a band the size of The National, it was great seeing them continue to reach out to their fans.
The hits were sprinkled throughout the night. “Bloodbuzz Ohio” was played second and “Fake Empire” ended the set. In between it all, the band mixed new songs like “Pink Rabbits” and “I Need My Girl” with older ones. Overall, the band was extremely tight the entire night, while still leaving rooming for a little concert flare. Guitar solos were wild and added in tastefully, and the added layer of live horns from the pair of multi-instrumentalists tucked in the back created a much fuller sound. It was a huge pleasure not hearing pre-recorded tracks take the place of any of the players that night. On top of it all, Berninger’s deep, booming voice filled the halls of The Mann Center that night.
For as somber and mellow as some of their songs are, The National came out will all their pistons churning that night. Berninger made a point of this as he slammed his microphone down during one song only later to come back and scream into it as it they both laid together on the floor. At the same time the band could completely change face and turn into a soft, dynamic band that treated their slower songs with the utmost delicacy. Moments after the last notes of “Fake Empire” ended, the group came back to the stage for a 30 minute, four song encore. The end was capped with a special acoustic rendition of “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”.
Not once did the rain let up. The National matched the storm in every sense. That night they went out to prove to Philadelphia and their fans that there’s no slowing down yet for them. After playing their first headlining stadium gig at the Barclays Center in their hometown, it’s not crazy to think that next time the National are in the here they will be playing in a venue much, much bigger.
