The National @ Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 20 Sep
The National play a set very much in honour of their critically acclaimed new album Sleep Well Beast and bring a high energy performance that leaves the crowd in awe
On the first of two sold out nights at the Usher Hall, The National kick off proceedings with Sleep Well Beast opener, Nobody Else Will Be There. The audience remain hushed throughout the entire song, leaving the focus on frontman Matt Berninger’s gritty, baritone vocals and the fragile piano notes.
There isn’t much in the way of production values throughout, but the simplicity works well for them and Berninger’s stage presence alone is enough to maintain the audience’s attention. At times he appears awkward, playing air guitar, shuffling his feet around and stalking the stage in between verses, but for the most part he is deeply compelling to watch. During the more solemn tracks like Walk It Back, and Carin at the Liquor Store, Berninger naturally appears brooding and reserved; cut to the gut-busting Turtleneck though and his disposition is one of uninhibited raucousness.
Delving deep into their back catalogue, the band perform Mr. November from their 2005 album Alligator and the mere mention of the record’s title results in a rapturous response from the audience. Ode to their hometown Bloodbuzz Ohio receives the biggest reaction and the crowd are the loudest they have been all night.
Returning to the stage for a four-song encore, the band begin by bringing out support act Luluc to provide backing vocals on Born to Beg and finish with the glorious build of Terrible Love, as echoes of “It takes an ocean not to break,” fill the room. The National are a band fully on the brink of greatness and tonight’s show proves exactly why.
The National's UK tour continues at Manchester's O2 Apollo (22&23 Sep) and (25-28 Sep) London's Eventim Apollo