The National have become one of the pivotal bands of the last 20 years because their songs reflect the chaos, mundanity and existential angst of modern life and serve it up with spellbinding, accessible melody. Like most of us, the Ohioans have had a tough time of it lately, facing a pandemic and frontman Matt Berninger’s depression and writer’s block. Now, though, a creative explosion has produced two albums this year and there are smiles and banter onstage as this stunning two-and-a-half-hour epic becomes a communal catharsis.
With a setlist extending all the way from 2004’s Cherry Tree EP to the title track of latest album, Laugh Track, here making its live debut, the 28 songs range from exquisite melancholy to pulverisingly redemptive. Channelling everything from Americana to post-punk – the latter flowing through Bryan Devendorf’s propulsive drumming – there’s sublime piano balladry and extreme noise. Milestones such as Bloodbuzz Ohio and Terrible Love are turned into anthemic singalongs by a fanbase who know every word.
