The National at Crystal Palace Park

“You must be somewhere in London, you must be loving your life in the rain,” sings Matt Berninger as the grey clouds over Crystal Palace Park eventually pour down over an enduring and overexcited crowd. And the line cannot be more accurate on another unusually grey summer day in the English capital. The Ohio band headline the open-air festival in the deep end of the city South, enthusing locals and internationals with their sophisticated brand of indie rock.

With an act running over two hours, the setlist span across the most known hits alongside lesser-known gems from memory lane. Such is Lit Up, greeted with jumps and a loud chorus from the field. This indeed instantly remind the group of the first time they came to London, with the album Alligator. Preceding this nostalgic moment is Cherry Tree, a smooth song, that breathes power through its wind instruments. Despite the cryptic lyrics – a trademark of the band – it is hauntingly hypnotising.

There’s a recurring theme threading through The National’s music, and that’s a sort of obsession with space and lives from outer worlds, as demonstrated by songs Space Invader and Alien. The latter, which in their own words was originally to be titled ET in the Sistine Chapel is a resonant blend of heartwarming slow rock and the mellifluous vocals of Berninger. The singer, after being offered an inflatable green alien, bites off the air valve with his teeth before tossing it back to the first rows of the audience.

The frontman floats between walking nonchalantly along the platform and embracing the disbelieving fans, sometimes trying to steal their caps, sometimes hugging them, and at times passing the microphone for a karaoke moment. It’s a demeanor that might appear detached at first glance, yet it entertains and reveals a comfort in holding stage presence.

The setting features abundant fluorescet and psychedelic visuals, seamlessly integrated with the intellectual, melancholic music played by the quintet. For the upbeat Rylan, Berninger is joined by Kate Stables of This Is The Kit – who had performed earlier in the day – for a fun and reflective rendition that lifts the sequence. The set ends on the unmissable triumph of Fake Empire, a ballad that balances political significance with intimate meaningfulness. For the encore, Aaron Dessner takes his seat at the piano for the punchy Mr November.

Terrible Love is an ever-overwhelming tune that stirs both the heart and spirit, with the drum pumping up the rhythm as the words begin to spin. About Today is just about to offer a melancholic farewell when the very end actually sees concertgoers united in an acoustic performance of Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks led by Dessner’s guitar: a classy conclusion to celebrate good lyrics and melodies.

Cristiana Ferrauti
Photos: Emma Last

For further information and future events visit The National’s website here.

Watch the video for the single here: