Matt Berninger at Troxy

28^th August 2025

Benedetta Mancusi

Shot by Nick Bennett

Benedetta Mancusi Shot by Nick Bennett

28 August 2025

This Wednesday, East London welcomed Matt Berninger, who played at Troxy with Ronboy (aka Julia Laws) as the opening act. The National frontman took the stage to the notes of Kneecap’s Better Way to Live, expressing both gratitude and excitement for performing at such an iconic venue. Some artists dive straight into the music, but Berninger – true to form – darts to the front, speaks to his audience, takes a bow, and soaks it all in. To witness him perform, whether solo or with his band, is always an experience charged with intensity.

Much like his solo debut, Serpentine Prison, Get Sunk possesses a more serene quality compared with his work with The National, and a more positive outlook. A feature of the new material seems to be Berninger’s greater reliance on his songwriting prowess: while his penchant for highly specific lyricism has always been a hallmark of his penmanship, here those words assume an even more central role. Nowhere Special, for example, blends singing with spoken word, a rant and stream‑of‑consciousness delivery that feels less polished perhaps than other songs on the album. And more impactful had he not prefaced it by explaining what the audience was about to experience and that he wasn’t simply shouting at the techs.

He opens the gig with No Love, followed by Frozen Oranges, which paints a vivid picture of growing up in Indiana in the 80s (“even though oranges don’t grow in Indiana”). This isn’t mere nostalgia, but a specific moment in time he ushers everyone in: swimming on a Saturday. The music elegantly reflects the sensoriality of the lyrics, mellower in tone and all‑embracing, like the river he dived into.

Silver Springs — not the Fleetwood Mac song, he clarifies — is one of the highlights: after the raw, upbeat work-in-progress Dumb Question, the vibe shifts here, slower and more introspective. Ronboy joins in, showcasing her vocal prowess, dreamy yet ferocious, perfectly complementing Berninger’s baritone. “They’ll never understand you anyway in Silver Springs,” they sing together.

Near the concert’s end, Berninger performs Terrible Love, a National song. Including it proves a smart choice: he walks into the crowd, embraces people, and lets them sing into the microphone. “It takes an ocean not to break,” strangers take turns singing, while everyone jumps up and down to the musical crescendo. There’s a tangible, sweaty electricity in the air.

Though known for being an unpredictable showman, he steers clear of gimmickry: he is at his best when pulling fans into his world of chaos and intimacy, often locking eyes with them while delivering his signature low notes. Whilst not his wildest set, he still teeters on the edge between vulnerability and abandon. His dry humour, peppered with jokes and chaotic anecdotes, keeps the night feeling alive and fully engaging.

Benedetta Mancusi
Photos: Nick Bennett

For further information and future events, visit Matt Berninger’s website here.

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