The National- Orpheum Theatre- November 29, 2011
The National. Wow. The National have been one of my absolute favorite bands for years now, and whenever they come through the city, I always happen to be out of town. Well luck was finally on my side, and I got to see them for the first time in an AMAZING venue (the historic Orpheum theatre..also my first time seeing a show there). This was a show years in the making for me. Absolutely moving.
I was fortunate enough to see them on Tuesday night (they played two shows). On that evening not only were Local Natives opening, a super hyped band out of Los Angeles, but they were joined by the incredible duo, Wye Oak.
I seldom make it to shows on time, nevermind early, but I am very glad I rocked in at the 7PM mark to catch Wye Oak. A two piece consisting of Andy Stack on drums (and then some!) and Jenn Wasner on guitar and vocals. I love love love it when a 2 piece band can create monstrous sounds and these two went above and beyond. Stack showed a superhuman level of coordination by keeping perfect rhythm with his foot on the kick, destroying the rest of his kit with only one drumstick in his right hand and playing the bass sections of the songs on a keyboard with his left hand. I couldn’t take my eyes off him the entire set. How do you do it red plaid shirted octopus man?! Now that’s not to say that Wasner wasn’t also quite impressive. She shreds on the guitar and belts out a pretty ferocious sound on the mic. Unfortunately half the time I didn’t know what the hell she was singing about, but it was definitely pleasant to my ears. Also unfortunate, the big sound that they throw down live doesn’t resonate onto recordings the same way it does on stage. They were sweet and very happy to be in Vancouver, so I can forgive that.
Local Natives took to the stage next. I was familiar with about half of the songs on their 2009 debut, Gorilla Manor (which is a fantastic album by the way), so I was really looking forward to seeing what they had to offer. While Wye Oak was pretty mellow with punches of reverb and hazy, loud guitar, Local Natives were ALL energy. It was a very welcome change for me as I have been noticing a lot of the bands I’ve been seeing lately are consumed by this “moody-too-cool” demeanour. No smiling. No dancing. No having a good time. Not “cool”. Well all those bands should take notes from Local Natives who embodied the true definition of “panache”. Panache is a word of French origin that carries the connotation of a flamboyant manner and reckless courage. If ya don’t know…now ya know! With heavy percussion and several layers of vocals that blended together perfectly these five chaps put on a dynamite performance. They played several tracks from Gorilla Manor and a few from their yet to be released album which is still in the works. From the sounds of the new songs, that record is going to be bomb. Great band, great performance.
Finally, The National took to the stage. I’m not sure if I can put into words the way I feel about this band, but I’ll do my damnedest. From the moment that lyricist and singer Matt Berninger gripped the mic and began belting out his dark, dark feelings, I was completely enthralled. The entire setting was incredible. A poet in the truest sense, drunk on red wine, bathed in dramatic lights, just feeding it to the audience. A wonderfully artsy screen which illuminated various live videos of the performance provided the backdrop. The gorgeous detailing of The Orpheum was the container of it all. Like a musical version of a Russian doll, every new layer which was exposed was more fantastic and impressive than the last.
I was way too caught up in the ambiance of the show to take down a set list, but I think they played at least a couple songs from every album. Which is awesome considering I tend to favour the older stuff a little more.
A few songs into the set I moved from my seat and went down beside the stage. I was in perfect position to notice exactly where Berninger was hiding his big bottle of wine. Hahah, he refilled his glass…often. Halfway through the set I’m pretty sure he was getting prrrretty bombed! Well ya know what? That’s rock n’ roll. And it was fitting as all hell. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. In fact, I’d smash a giant bottle of wine with that guy anytime because he is charming as fuck. Dark and mysterious but really funny at the same time. It’s a shame I missed Monday’s show because apparently he went off on an intense “dick joke” tangent. Coming from a guy who writes deep lines like “You know I dreamed about you for 29 years before I saw you. You know I dreamed about you. I missed you for 29 years” (Slow Show-Boxer), it’s unexpected. Very cool and “real” to see both sides of an artist.
Nearing the end of the show they slowed things down a bunch. According to Berninger this was “the depressing part of the show”. Agreed! The audience got back into their seats. The room was enveloped in sad blue and green lights and I found myself getting all reflective and pensive. I’ll tell you something, in my entire life I have only been brought to tears at a show once, at a Bob Dylan concert in 2005 while I was really high on mushrooms. The National came dangerously close to making me cry. In a good way. In a “holy shit, I am so moved I don’t know how else to express myself” sort of way. That very statement may destroy all my hard earned street cred and I don’t even care. This show was 
THAT good.
At the tail end of the performance they picked things up again. Horns, piano, an even drunker Berninger barrelling through the front of the crowd. Mic stand thrown down. Sporadic emotional shouting. It was a wonderful way to build up to the encore.
The last song of the night saw the band come together in the middle of the stage for a toned down, mic-less sing along of “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”. The entire crowd got right into it and we all came together one last time before we each left as separates.
Best show of the year. Wow. Just wow.
-Jamie Woodward
Wye Oak-Civilian (really cool live KEXP video)
Local Natives- Airplanes (another cool KEXP live video, also I love this song…just sayin)
The National- Terrible Love (really nice live video via Pitchfork)
The National- Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks (live)
