While I was waiting in line to see, arguably, my favorite band right now, one interesting thought came into my mind: Why is all this people coming to see The National? It’s not that they’re not popular enough for people in Mexico to be interested in them. Simply, how can a band that makes music with unattached melancholy, and, a mainly sorrowful voice and aesthetic, be attractive to a big live audience? Could all this people be my friends? 

One of the more used descriptors to The National’s discography is dependability. Their records have become something you can always expect to be, at least, well-written, composed and produced, and at their very best, some of the most essential rock music of the past two decades. That is an adjective you could also use to their live act, but it would be a bit unfair. Live, the band embraces their songs as if they were anthems; suites full of passages that deserve introductions, codas and why not, an occasional jam.

They started with ‘You Had Your Soul With You’, the opener of the album they’re touring behind, I Am Easy To Find. It is safe to say that it grabbed people by their necks. The song sounded more propulsive and noisey live, so everyone was shaking their hands and even jumping. Matt Berninger, the band’s frontman is very energetic on stage. Walks from end to end, shouts off-mic and asks the audience to sing along. At least 3 times during the concert he climbed off the stage and embraced everyone who tried to touch him, one time even his voice was lost in the crowd. That’s something fans already expected, but this time that was counterbalanced by the only woman on stage.

Kate Stables, the only singer of the several featured on I Am Easy To Find that came to Mexico with the band, standed very still, with her hands moving gently while she shared her voice and complemented Berninger’s performance. She sang in many songs, always staying behind her mic, smiling at the audience, and thanking Matt for introducing her at least 3 times. She was the best part of the first 4 songs, all from the new album, songs that came and went quickly. The band played them perfectly but I couldn’t help but think they lacked a little strength. That was not the case when they played ‘Don’t Swallow The Cap’, with the help of Stables too. That was the exact moment when the audience completely connected with the band. After that, Stables left the stage momentarily for the band to perform ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’, one of my favorite songs of the past ten years. Bryan Devendorf (drummer) started pummeling his drum kit to give way to the song. Its propulsive and melancholic verse and its anthemic chorus were all followed accurately, word by word, by everyone in the audience. It was cathartic and I could name it the best moment of the night, but we still had an hour and a half left.

Throughout the main set, one thing stood out: I couldn’t see quite well Scott (bassist) and Bryan Devendorf, and yet you could feel their presence, the songs wouldn’t sound that powerful without Scott’s firm basslines and Bryan’s creative and precise drumming. However, the two main protagonists after Berninger’s stage persona, are Aaron and Bryce Dessner. They are, after all, the main composers of The National’s music. Both played the piano, both played synths, both played electric and acoustic guitars. The dynamics between them and the band is astounding, but the spotlight of their performance is their interconnection. Examples abounded: Aaron played the piano in at least 4 songs and Bryce then took to the same instrument in ‘The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness’ while Aaron played the engaging guitar solo. Bryce took out a wired guitar, shaked it and hit it to make weird sounds in ‘I Need My Girl’, while his brother played the main guitar line. Their talent was more than evident.

Despite the fierce aesthetic the band gave to many of the songs, with jams, extended outros, an extra percussionist, and horns, there were also quintessential The National quiet moments. ‘Light Years’, was one of the most expected songs of the evening. Also a surprising performance of ‘Pink Rabbits’ a highlight from their 6th album, Trouble Will Find Me, and the first song on the encore, ‘I Am Easy To Find’. In all these, Kate’s presence was soothing and Matt stayed behind his mic too, to give the songs their deserved serenity, contrasting the rest of the set. That particular trait of the concert enriched the exprience in a great way. Another pleasing moment was ‘Where Is Her Head’ the only song in which Stables was the main voice. She grabbed the mic with one hand off-stand, and sang every word passionately, even outshining Berninger for a bit.

The closing of the main set came by way of ‘Fake Empire’, one song that could be considered a classic. The two musicians behind the horns, walked to the front of the stage to play the song’s coda, making emphasis in the fact that the band is more than just five guys playing indie rock. The encore was filled with fan favorites and live mainstays closing with ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’, in which the 9 musicians on stage stood in front and sang along with the crowd, Matt didn’t have to use his microphone. So, yeah, I got why 5 thousand people went to the Pepsi Center that night. The National are an authentic rock band and they proof that much in their concerts. And yes, they are dependable, they are white mid-life americans that write about how disorienting that type of life can be, their music can soundtrack political campaigns and be played in coffeeshops. But when you see them play their music, none of it matters because they are so fucking good at doing that. If you’re a fan, go see them live, if you’re not, you’ve got homework.

Setlist:

• You Had Your Soul With You
• Quiet Light
• The Pull Of You
• Hey Rosey
• Don’t Swallow The Cap
• Bloodbuzz Ohio
• Oblivions
• So Far So Fast
• Where Is Her Head
• I Need My Girl
• This Is The Last Time
• Son
• Day I Die
• The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness
• Pink Rabbits
• Light Years
• Rylan
• Graceless
• Fake Empire

• I Am Easy To Find
• Mr. November
• Terrible Love
• About Today
• Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks