The National @ SummerStage, Aug. 4, 2008
The National had an inauspicious start to their SummerStage concert on Aug. 4 in Central Park; their sound was sort of tinny and gargled during the first two or three songs before the band’s warm, loungey sound emerged. Frontman Matt Berninger, in jeans and a lighter denim shirt, also took a bit of time loosen up, but before long he was contorting and twisting like a demur version of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.
The tightly packed crowd swayed and sung along. Julia Stiles was notable among the swayers.
Berninger continued his penchant for entering crowds during the Obama anthem “Mr. November” (recorded in 2005 and co-opted this year). A bit of the way into that most rousing of National songs, Berninger moved off the stage so quickly that he disconnected his wired microphone during a chorus. To Berninger’s credit, he continued his full-throated cries of “I’m Mr. November, I won't fuck us over!” even with a nonfunctioning mike.
The concert's finest moments came when Berninger stepped back and brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner stepped forward to rip forth peals of guitar-and-bass harmony.
The band of Ohio-born New Yorkers did not remain home for long; they flew to Oslo today for Norway's Øya Festival.
— Max Dickstein
For pictures and the full set list, go here.
