The National: Koko – May 31st, 2006

Why?

I can’t remember who I went with. I know it wasn’t my two normal gig going mates, they were on XFM freebies to see Hot Chip this evening. I chose the National.

I chose the National a lot.

I’d discovered them totally randomly on a tip from someone I worked with (not a usual music tipster – her other recommendation had been some texan band whose name I can’t find through the fog…), who had tuned me onto Cherry Tree. But Alligator got itself into my soul.

“I’m so sorry for everything” was what did it for me.

And they could do no wrong under a mirror ball, with a bottle of wine in Matt’s hand for most of the show.

They weren’t big by this stage. Fake Empire was yet to happen. They still felt personal. It was amplified by the lack of stage craft. This was a personal scream, a personal prayer, a personal communion.

Years later Matt Berninger would jump into a crowd at Hammersmith, find himself next to me and put his arm around me.

Tonight I wanted to put an arm around him.

High?

Mr November.

Drinking?

As much as the band.

Thinking?

You are my band.

The National: Astoria – May 22nd, 2007

Why?

There’s an old joke – or I’ll swear there’s an old joke – that if you listen to too much country music, then it’s inevitable that your wife will leave you, your dog will die, and that you’ll end up drinking alone in honky-tonks. It’s the manifest destiny of the Country Fan.

I think I’ve endured the manifest destiny of the National fan. I met my future wife a year after this show.

And throughout our failure of a marriage I listened obsessively to songs of doomed, alcholic introspection, male human weakness and flawed uncertainty.

This was a band on the cusp.

The music was there, the fans and critics were following, but Matt still seemed unsure and uncertain on stage. There was no practiced banter or routines. He seemed actively uncomfortable in his skin while not singing.

He still gave the impression of drinking a bottle of wine during the show. I think he was. I so identified with Matt Berninger. This was barely the beginning.

High?

As always, Mr November.

Drinking?

Just like you.

Thinking?

This is my band.

The National: Shepherd’s Bush Empire – November 7th, 2007

Why: Very possibly my favourite band of the last 10 years. I’d seen them on them on the Alligator tour and the chance to see them play Boxer at a relatively small venue was unmissable.

High: Fake Empire a strong contender, but Mr. November live is an experience that’s almost impossible to beat. This was also the show that introduced me to the fantastic St. Vincent (supporting). I rarely do a support band if I don’t know who they are, but when I really want a good place in a standing venue I get there early. Glad I did this time.

Drinking: All the wine.

Thinking: I want you to get the recognition you deserve, but please stay small/cult enough so I can continue to think of you as mine, and continue to make people happy by introducing you to them…

Gig on Songkick

Setlist on Setlist.fm