The National at the Electric Factory - Philly

Superb...just the way I imagined my fifth concert from The National would be…and then more...


For the last 2 years I have seen this band progressing from a stellar opening band to what I finally saw on Friday…hundreds of people piled up at the Electric Factory on May 29 in Philly…almost as if they finally got it…as if in the end, the message from the dark, elegant and mature tunes from this band coming out of Matt Berninger’s deep voice was finally delivered…


The initial chords were confusing, hard to realize that for the first time in a long time it was not “Start a War” but something different…something new...this time the band opened with The Runaway (which still remains as a tentative name), a great new song with a chorus that says it all... “I won’t be no runaway, cause I won’t run…”, fresh though powerful, you be the judge…


Tunes from Cherry Tree, Alligator and Boxer blended almost seamlessly with brand new songs throughout the night, a warm night that Matt tried to survive by keeping his wine glass full after deciding to come out in a gray suit despite the 80F temperature...


The night came and went too fast, however, hope is in the air and it is evident that their new album is in the works and, on Friday in addition to The Runaway, we heard three brand-new songs: Blood Buzz Ohio, Vanderlylle Cry Baby and England…

I am not sure about you guys but I will be waiting for it eagerly.

Here is a vid of The Runaway from Q TV



Click here to listen to Vanderlylle Cry Baby and England. You can download them as part of their full show at the "Dark Was the Night" concert in NYC.

And you can click here to listen to Blood Buzz Ohio played live in Boston.

Enjoy,

MM