Guess who eekie went to see?

Yep. I did it. I actually did go to The National concert. :-)

I almost didn't. Not only did I almost chicken out, but I also had a meeting I had to attend about 55 miles away that evening. But just as I was leaving home for the meeting -- and of course I was running really late -- I thought "hmm...the meeting should be over by 8...I could still make the show" (wouldn't catch the opener, but that's ok). But I'm not familiar with the arena district and didn't have my GPS with me, so actually getting there still wasn't looking very good.

But after the meeting broke up I asked if anyone knew how to get to the venue from I 70 and someone did...and get this -- it was easy! Even for me (and that's really saying something, considering I can hardly find my way out of my driveway without my GPS)! So I went...got there in just enough time to park, buy a ticket, a bottle of water, and an ep, and find a fairly comfortable spot to stand before the show started.

The show itself was excellent. Being at the very back of the venue (an outdoor venue at that), I know I missed out on a lot of the energy, and I did notice that. But I was doing good just to be there and I wanted to enjoy the show instead of being stressed out about the crowd. Being at the back allowed me to do that. Someday I would like to be able to be close to the stage at one of their shows though. I think that would make the experience even better.

As much as I like the studio versions of their songs I think most of them are even better live. While they remain pretty faithful to the studio versions when they play live, they give the songs a little extra spark and that is great. Here's the setlist:


Runaway
Mistaken For Strangers
Anyone's Ghost
Bloodbuzz Ohio
Brainy
Slow Show
Squalor Victoria
Afraid Of Everyone
Available
Little Faith
Conversation 16
Apartment Story
Abel
Daughters Of The Soho Riots
England
Fake Empire

Encore:

Wasp Nest
Lemonworld
Mr. November
Terrible Love
About Today

I generally am happy with whatever songs a band plays live, as I figure they know which songs work well in a live setting (and if I like a band well enough to actually go see them I like most of their songs anyway), but I was thrilled they played About Today. While I like the studio version, I love the live version. The studio version trails off, but the live version ends in a long blast of distortion and instrumental wankery (and I mean wankery in the best possible way here). It's a great end to their show.

I would have loved to have heard Secret Meeting and Ada, but can't complain about the set. Little Faith was probably the one song that didn't do a whole lot for me live. It wasn't bad by any means, but if I had to replace one song that would be the one. Mr November and Terrible Love are a fantastic one/two punch at the end of the show, and often are the very last two songs. I was kind of surprised at how much I liked Lemonworld live, as it took a while to really grow on me when I first heard it.

So anyway...if you like The National I encourage you to go see them live. You will be delighted. I'll certainly try to see them again. :-)