The National Gave Fans Exactly What They Wanted at Saint Louis Music Park
–by Laura Tucker
When you love music and enjoy seeing your favorite artists live, you choose the shows you want to attend and buy the tickets. But, sometimes, the band chooses you. That’s exactly what happened over the weekend when I got the opportunity to check out The National at St. Louis Music Park on Saturday night. Apparently, I have been, as the kids would say, “sleeping” on this amazing group. So, let me just say thank you for the awakening!
The night kicked off at 8:00 with Indie singer-songwriter from Australia known as Indigo Sparke. Yes, that’s her real name. Why couldn’t I have had free spirited parents like that?
She took the stage in overalls and bare feet. A girl after my own heart. I also hate shoes (unless they’re really cute). Her style and her band, minimalistic, consisting of just three collectively- cool pieces.
They proceeded to gently guide us into the set with a few acoustic numbers and gradually got louder and more rambunctious from there. Her soft and sultry vocals are soothing and pure, and take you back to a time when things were simple and carefree.
After their set, they came off the stage and proceeded to the concession stand for a beer. Totally laid back.
But the moment everyone was waiting for came at 9:00. The National. The Grammy winning band came onto the stage with a wave, and were greeted with an enthusiastic welcome. These are not just fans, they are more like a clique or a club that seem to be bound by the music. In fact, the band is currently selling out venues across the country.
From the first song, “I Can’t Forget”, originally by Leonard Cohen, they were enthralled; singing along and listening with intention. They seemed to be part of a secret club and I was clearly not a member. But I get the fascination. Actually, the band’s fan club is called Cherry Tree. So, I guess they are in the Cherry Tree club. To get your membership or learn about all the band, jump on over to americanmary.com.
One cool thing about these guys is that they are literally a band of brothers, made up of Bryan and Scott Devendorf on bass and drums, and identical twins Aaron and Bryce Dessner on guitars and piano. They are led by front man Matt Berninger who has a nostalgic quality to his voice and his presence.
Their sound is solid and so unique; even when performing a cover of another band’s work. I listened to their rendition of “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS and while it was completely different, it was really easy to listen to. But it’s their music that fans came to hear. And they played all of the best, including “I Need My Girl” and “Graceless” while appropriately saving “Weird Goodbyes” for the encore.
During “Bloodbuzz Ohio” (their native state), Matt mentioned that this is really about any place and could translate to Bloodbuzz St. Louis. The fans ate it up.
The energy was raw and exciting. I turned to the crowd a few times to see the reaction and it was pure joy. Smiling faces and arms in the air throughout the show.
So, next time a friend invites you to see a band that you know absolutely nothing about, take them up on the offer. You never know when you might just get inducted into a new club.
