The National - London Astoria - 22/5/07
5/5
I considered it an impossibility to find a band whose CDs are unimaginably stunning and fascinatingly full yet intricate and understated, who sound as good live as they do on disc. As such, I was apprehensive that The National might be about to illustrate, to me, their only possible short-coming. How wrong I was.
Entering The Astoria, people danced like dust follicles, excitedly floating and settling only for seconds at a time on different surfaces. The long-threatened venue is well rounded, small enough to be considered intimate but large enough to be worthy of its massive sound system. I have to admit to being surprised that it was so full - a friend had seen the band at The Komedia (a tiny venue above a restaurant in the Brighton Lanes) recently performing to a half full room, but this acquisition of fans speaks volumes about the band's recent, striking album 'Boxer', and their startling new found confidence on stage.
The atmosphere too was overwhelming, like being part of a secret yet well established and hugely friendly community. I was certain that even said 'stage frightened' Matt Berninger couldn't be intimidated by this group of softly spoken, Independent on Sunday reading, graduates/professionals who all seemed to be wearing matching NoaNoa and White Stuff clothes.
For a band to sound as good as on a CD is one thing, for them to sound better is quite another, but somehow, with the help of a curious looking instrumentalist (emphasis on the mental) who played violin. keyboard, occasionally piano and entertained us with his long middle-aged beard and grass hopper characteristics, The National did just that. The performance was epic, dancing on stage, artists swapping one instrument for another mid song and helping the drummer with an even fiercer beat at points, climaxing again and again like the best lover you have ever felt. The music was as intricate and as delicate as ever, whilst maintaining the raw emotive angry desolate energy that only this band and this band alone are capable of achieving. I was captivated from start to finish, my only criticism being that they didn't play all the songs they have ever written... twice.
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