Apologies that this is nearly two months late. I did write it only a matter of days after the gig but forgot about it, and only found it when I was tidying up my computer today. Enjoy.
The National frontman Matt Berninger begins with a simple “hello” before the band kick things off with the tender Runaway from last year’s High Violet. Within seconds we were already in raised neck hairs and goosebumps territory. From then onward the band had the sold out audience eating out of the palms of their hands, each track receiving an almost euphoric response. The National themselves seem genuinely humbled by the reaction, it’s their first time playing Edinburgh and Berninger sounds sincere and genuine when he tells the crowd it’s been a privilege.
Like any National show, picking highlights is a nearly impossible task. Such is the richness of their back catalogue they could play a set comprising entirely of b-sides and album tracks, and their devoted fan base would still sing along to every word. As it was, the band played eight songs that would be replaced by the time they played in Glasgow
From the compelling drums and horn riff of Bloodbuzz Ohio Victoria
During the encore Berninger continues with his traditional disappearing act during Mr November, however instead of diving head first into the crowd, climbing a speaker stack and dislodging a roof tile was the order of the day. “By the way, there’s a dead body up there”, and as the tracks reaches it’s crescendo with Berninger screaming “I’m Mr November I won’t fuck us over” even if there was, I think few would care such was the intensity and quality of the performance.
Terrible Love follows before a stunning unplugged version of Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks, complete with mass audience sing along, ends what has been yet another remarkable and unforgettable performance from the finest band on the planet today.
The National played:
Encore:
Mr November complete with roof destruction:
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