national-06

The National played Barclays Center w/ Youth Lagoon (pics)

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin; words by Bill Pearis

The National @ Barclays Center, 6/5/2013
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Youth Lagoon

“We’ve played probably 35 different venues in New York over the years. Tonight we just wanted to go back to our roots, where it all began,” joked Matt Berninger from the stage last night (6/5) of the still brand-new and massive Barclays Center arena. Having played a handful of surprise shows at tiny NYC venues on the day of their new album‘s release, The National were here for their their big league moment, playing their largest hometown show to date. While it wasn’t sold-out, it was pretty full. The band definitely have the scope for an arena show like this, making the sort of anthemic, widescreen rock that fills a huge, boomy room.

While I didn’t have the worst seats in the house, I was pretty far away from the stage so I can’t comment so much on performances, but I thought it sounded pretty good, even from the nosebleeds. They definitely had an impressive light show, with a giant LCD screen behind them that combined pre-made films with the band’s live performance. Really well-done.

Including the four-song encore, The National, with a string and brass section in tow, played 24 songs. Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent), fresh off the plane, apparently, came out to sing on “This is the Last Time” from the new Trouble Will Find Me. The band also did “Sorrow,” which Berninger said was “probably the most rehearsed song on the tour.”

The National’s tour rolls on, playing Merriweather Post Pavillion in Baltimore tonight (6/6). The setlist and more pictures from Barclays — including openers Youth Lagoon (who I missed) — below…

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The National @ Barclays Center, 6/5/2013
Don’t Swallow the Cap
Bloodbuzz Ohio
Mistaken for Strangers
Sea of Love
Sorrow
Demons
Heavenfaced
Afraid of Everyone
Conversation 16
Squalor Victoria
I Need My Girl
This is the Last Time (With Annie Clark)
Abel
Apartment Story
Pink Rabbits
England
Graceless
About Today
Fake Empire

Encore:
I Should Live In Salt
Humiliation
Mr. November
Terrible Love
Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks