The National baptized the Mission Ballroom with their first appearance at the legendary venue in the making in night two of a multi-night stint.

One of New York’s finest (by way of Ohio) continues their ascent on the mountain of indie music pantheon with consistently well-received output.

Most recently in “I Am Easy To Find (released May 2019),” the National expanded their formula by including female vocalists in the studio and on the road.

After eight full-length albums, Berninger and the boys are able to have fun with their extensive catalog and it shows. Despite missing night one, fans that had attended both nights were buzzing about how tight the band sounded. What’s not mentioned is the mastery behind the quiet-loud that the brothers Dessner and Devendorf accomplish.

This live approach is best applied when performing the mid-tempo tracks that Saturday night experienced with the likes of “Quiet Light” and “Oblivions.”

What’s not often discussed is the center stage prowess possessed by lead vocalist Matt Berninger. The principal songwriter connects with audience members on a spiritual level that many other artists never achieve.

Catch the National on tour for the rest of the year and next year at the dates below.

SETLIST

1. Rylan
2. Quiet Light
3. The Pull of You
4. Hey Rosey
5. Sea of Love
6. Bloodbuzz Ohio
7. Guilty Party
8. Oblivions
9. So Far So Fast
10. Where Is Her Head
11. Peggy-O([traditional] cover)
12. All the Wine
13. Day I Die
14. The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
15. Pink Rabbits
16. Light Years
17. You Had Your Soul With You
18. I Am Easy to Find
19. England
20. Terrible Love
21. Encore:
22. Green Gloves
23. Mr. November
24. Fake Empire
25. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

The National Tour Dates

9/10 – Austin, TX @ Austin360 Amphitheatre**
9/11 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall**
10/16 – Mexico City, MX @ Pepsi Center
10/19 – Guadalajara, MX @ Coordenada Festival
10/26 – New Orleans, LA – Voodoo Music + Arts
11/25 – Warsaw, PL @ Torwar Hall
11/26 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle
11/27 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle
11/29 – Copenhagen, DK @ Royal Arena
12/1 – Bochum, DE @ Ruhrcongress
12/2 – Cologne, DE @ Palladium
12/3 – Zurich, SW @ Samsung Hall
12/4 – Munich, DE @ Zenith
12/5 – Stuttgart, DE @ Porsche Arena
12/07 – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre^
12/08 – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena^
12/09 – Cardiff, UK – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena^
12/10 – Nottingham, UK – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena^
03/17 – Tokyo, JP – Zepp DiverCity
03/18 – Tokyo, JP – Zepp DiverCity
03/21 – Perth, AU – Freemantle Arts Centre
03/22 – Perth, AU – Freemantle Arts Centre
03/24 – Sydney, AU – ICC
03/25 – Sydney, AU – ICC
03/27 – Brisbane, AU – Fortitude Music Hall
03/28 – Brisbane, AU – Fortitude Music Hall
03/30 – Melbourne, AU – Palais Theatre
03/31 – Melbourne, AU – Palais Theatre
04/01 – Melbourne, AU – Palais Theatre
04/03 – Auckland, NZ – ASB Aotea Centre
04/04 – Auckland, NZ – ASB Aotea Centre
** w/ Alvvays
^ w/Jenny Lewis