Interpol had its homecoming at the beautiful Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night. The plush confines were filled with eager fans ready to catch their favorite band. Interpol did not disappoint. The band put on a performance worthy of the homecoming coronation they received.
Interpol - Not Even Jail (MP3)I’ve seen Interpol on stages large and small, and I’m still surprised about how muscular the band sounds. While Interpol were getting used to new members David Pajo and Brandon Curtis when I saw them at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall saw the band at its finest, and the only noticable issues were more about the mix than the performance. Daniel Kessler’s guitar seemed a tad muted when the band was playing together, as was Pajo’s bass. Other than that, the band succeeded at creating a moving, evocative performance.
Photos: Matthew Eisman
Interpol started the night with their traditional opener, “Success,” from their latest release, Interpol. The band was rhythmic, in sync, and, while restrained, the energy was right there waiting to burst forth. The band started things off electrically with “PDA” and “Evil” back-to-back before settling things down with the gorgeous “Hands Away.” As Sam Fogarino pounded away on “Barricade,” things couldn’t get better. It was a perfect fusion of old and new. Propulsive yet rooted in the shadows. I love “Say Hello to the Angels”–that concussive blast of punk energy, that urgent strumming. But I also liked that meditative calm that rose through in the breakdown. At Radio City, it seemed a tad rushed. Some of the songs were was played unusually fast. Maybe a little too fast.
The second half of the set was a beautiful mix of introspective tunes. “Summer Well,” “Stella Was a Diver,” “NYC” (which Paul Banks dedicated to this New York crowd, of course), “Memory Serves,” and the the set-closer, “Obstacle 1.” A great set even before the encore. I enjoyed the risk the band took with the melodic track, “The Lighthouse.” It built up, Kessler in the forefront with Paul Banks soon following and adding vocals. Curtis’ swooning keys added even more ambiance to the song. Followed up by “The New” and it was a perfect way to open the encore. “Slow Hands” and “Not Even Jail” was a perfect way to end it.
Setlist, more photos of Interpol and openers School of Seven Bells after the jump
Interpol Radio City Music Hall Setlist:
Success
PDA
Evil
Hands Away
Barricade
Rest My Chemistry
Narc
Say Hello To The Angels
Lights
Summer Well
Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down
NYC
The Heinrich Maneuver
Memory Serves
Obstacle 1
Encore:
The Lighthouse
The New
Slow Hands
Not Even Jail
Interpol
Photos: Opening Band School of Seven Bells
