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The National

Average rating:

4.7

33 of 33(100%)customers would recommend this to a friend.

The National Fan Reviews - Ticketmaster

5 / 5

Best concert in years

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Fake Empire, Squalor Victoria, Mr. November, About Today, Green Gloves, Slow Show @

Posted 07/22/2009

by Matt267

Location: Hopkins, MN

You can tell the heart and soul The National pour out into their music. Matt Berringer's emotions were shown throughout the concert, and the band was flawless. When Matt moved through the crowd and up the stairs during "Mr. November" it gave me chills. That is the reason I go to concerts and that is the reason The National are one of the best bands out there right now.

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Fake Empire, Squalor Victoria, Mr. November, About Today, Green Gloves, Slow Show @

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Review 2 for The National

5 / 5

Unbelievable

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Posted 07/20/2009

by HackAttack

Location: Minnesota

Fantastic vocals. Phenomenal musicians! Great show.

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

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Review 3 for The National

5 / 5

Totally orgasmic stage prescence

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Secret meeting (favorite song performed beautifully) @

Posted 07/20/2009

by ZeaGurl

The National was amazing at the electric factory on 5/29. I didn't really know them i just went to keep a freind company and i was completely blown away. I hardly knew the songs but couldn't help but move to the music. They are beautiful musicians!!! Seriously if you can go I totally recommend it

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Secret meeting (favorite song performed beautifully) @

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Review 4 for The National

4 / 5

National puts in a solid performance

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Lead singer waded into the crowd and up onto one of first ave's stairways for a song during the encore. Hard to do with a wired mic. @

Posted 07/18/2009

by RikG

Location: Minneapolis

Group seemed low key but the sound was good and the crowd into it. Surprised they didn't play "astronauts".

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Lead singer waded into the crowd and up onto one of first ave's stairways for a song during the encore. Hard to do with a wired mic. @

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Review 5 for The National

5 / 5

Future arena act

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The lead singer carrying the (wired) mike into the crowd while the stage crew showed the classic "WTF" look. @

Posted 07/17/2009

by Quince

Outstanding set last night by The National at 1st Ave. They showed a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and musicianship. I'll be telling people in a few years how I saw them for $20 as they pony up $75+ to see them in a major venue.

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The lead singer carrying the (wired) mike into the crowd while the stage crew showed the classic "WTF" look. @

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Review 6 for The National

5 / 5

Evening to Rember with "The National"

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Start to finish...nice mix...high energy by all members... @

Posted 07/17/2009

by wisc

Location: Wisconsin

This concert was all that I had hoped for and more! This entire group is truely talented and at the top of their game...Catch them if you can, trust me, it doesn't get any better than this!!

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Start to finish...nice mix...high energy by all members... @

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Review 7 for The National

4 / 5

First Ave Didn't Disappoint

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Posted 07/17/2009

by Anonymous

Location: Twin Ciites

Good show - the set was tight and I always have fun there.

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

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Review 8 for The National

5 / 5

Never a dull moment

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: During "Mr. November" lead singer Matt Berninger jumped off stage into the crowd and climbed the stairs while singing the final chorus. @

Posted 07/17/2009

by rdcoons

Location: Bloomington, MN

The National were back in Minneapolis last night on the second leg of their "Boxer" tour. The show was amazing, just like it was at the Fine Line last time they were in town. Lots of energy, great sound, and impressive musicianship. Each band member, sans the singer and drummer, play multiple instruments and switched off throughout the night. The setlist was very strong, highlighting mostly their two most recent releases, "Alligator" and "Boxer." They also played several new tracks from their upcoming album due early next year.

First Avenue @

- Minneapolis @

,MN @

- Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: During "Mr. November" lead singer Matt Berninger jumped off stage into the crowd and climbed the stairs while singing the final chorus. @

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Review 9 for The National

4 / 5

The National was awesome.

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November @

Opening act(s): Here We Go Magic @

Posted 07/15/2009

by alwhight

There was a good mix of old and new, and slow to up tempo tracks. I loved it when they got loud.

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November @

Opening act(s): Here We Go Magic @

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Review 10 for The National

5 / 5

The National: Epic

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November @

Setlist: All good songs @

Opening act(s): Missed it @

Posted 07/15/2009

by Gr8fulHead

I went to the show with my girlfriend and other good friend. We've all been listening to the national for some time. We knew the show would be good because they are all incredible musicians, however, we figured it would be rather subdued. We were wrong but pleasantly surprised. They rocked our faces off!

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November @

Setlist: All good songs @

Opening act(s): Missed it @

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Review 11 for The National

3 / 5

This venue is all about where you sit

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November... since it's a harder song, it didn't suffer because of the atmosphere, and everyone was really into it as well @

Posted 07/14/2009

by sweetwillie75

Location: New Hope, PA

My fiancee and I are pretty big fans of the National. To be fair, dinner took longer than expected and we wound up showing up just before they took the stage, so we were standing way off to the right side in the 21+ area. The sound under there is not good at all. I'll admit I enjoy having a few drinks at a concert, so it was either stay there and enjoy a sub-par sound quality, not drink at all and try to wiggle our way into the center, or spend most of the show going back and forth. So, we stayed put.
Matt Berninger's voice is a subtle baritone, which by it's own nature doesn't translate well live.
It's hard enough to re-create the intimacy of some of the songs on "Boxer," but to have to attempt it in an echo chamber is impossible. Thus he's forced to sing louder than he naturally wants to, which in turn affects the outcome. Compound that with the bad acoustics in the Electric Factory and you get what we got: a so-so show that no doubt would have been better at a different venue. Having said that, I wouldn't expect the National to ever put on a "greatest show of my life" concert at any time.

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November... since it's a harder song, it didn't suffer because of the atmosphere, and everyone was really into it as well @

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Review 12 for The National

5 / 5

Best show of the year

Variety Playhouse @

- Atlanta @

,GA @

- Wed, May 27, 2009 @

Posted 07/14/2009

by Alissa1979

I am really glad I got to see The National in this venue, because I think they will be playing much larger shows before long! The sound quality in the venue was amazing, and the band played all their best songs, along with a few new songs that were also excellent. If you have a chance to see The National, don't pass it up!

Variety Playhouse @

- Atlanta @

,GA @

- Wed, May 27, 2009 @

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Review 13 for The National

5 / 5

One of the best shows I've seen.

Variety Playhouse @

- Atlanta @

,GA @

- Wed, May 27, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Everyone screaming the chorus of Abel at the top of their lungs. @

Posted 07/14/2009

by maximushobbes

The National was fantastic. They sounded even better live than on their records. Musically, it was definitely one of the best shows that I've seen.

Variety Playhouse @

- Atlanta @

,GA @

- Wed, May 27, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Everyone screaming the chorus of Abel at the top of their lungs. @

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Review 14 for The National

5 / 5

Awesome band, awesome venue

Variety Playhouse @

- Atlanta @

,GA @

- Wed, May 27, 2009 @

Posted 07/13/2009

by Thebany

The National was fantastic. They didn't play at the Variety Playhouse. They played at the Tabernacle which is now hands down my favorite venue in Atlanta. Great show.

Variety Playhouse @

- Atlanta @

,GA @

- Wed, May 27, 2009 @

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Review 15 for The National

4 / 5

Drunken antics

Kool Haus @

- Toronto @

,ON @

- Thu, May 21, 2009 @

Favorite moment: All The Wine. Great track! @

Posted 07/13/2009

by PoppaV

Location: Toronto

I have come to love The National within the last year and this was my first chance to see them live. The band apparently had not played live in some time, and there were definite kinks in the live performance (too much feedback, way too often), but they brought a ton of energy and....drunken antics. The antics were courtesy of front man Matt Berninger, who at one point busted the mic stand and almost flung it into the crowd. Don't get me wrong, I thought this actually added to the show, not musically, but it certainly was entertaining to watch. The brass and instruments sounded pretty good (absent the feedback) and overall they were great to watch. And Berninger really puts everything into it. Hoping that they play a better venue next time.

Kool Haus @

- Toronto @

,ON @

- Thu, May 21, 2009 @

Favorite moment: All The Wine. Great track! @

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Review 16 for The National

5 / 5

The National are MUST SEE

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November as the best live song I've ever seen. @

Posted 07/13/2009

by weed311

I've been a fan of their music for awhile. Never saw them live. They were amazing - beyond all expectations. So many musicians on stage - yet the were very tight and cohesive, and really rocked at the end and did not disappoint at all.

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mr. November as the best live song I've ever seen. @

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Review 17 for The National

5 / 5

National was fantastic

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The whole show rocked and they did not let up at all. @

Setlist: Can't remember it was over a month ago. @

Opening act(s): Their horn player made noise for about 20 minutes a complete waste of time. They should have brought some local band on and gave them a chance. @

Posted 07/13/2009

by joho

Location: Baltimore

Top 500 Contributor

Last show of their current tour and they did a great job. I had seen them twice before in opening roles, so this was the first time I had seen them give a solo show and they let it all out. Seen them 3 times now and I can truthfully say they are getting better each time.

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The whole show rocked and they did not let up at all. @

Setlist: Can't remember it was over a month ago. @

Opening act(s): Their horn player made noise for about 20 minutes a complete waste of time. They should have brought some local band on and gave them a chance. @

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Review 18 for The National

5 / 5

Midwesternern Mellow

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Posted 07/13/2009

by DoktorJohn

Location: Paterson NJ

This Brooklyn-based quintet is easily recognized by their manner as originally from the Midwest---Ohio to be specific. Although now signed on the Beggar’s Banquet label, they retain an offbeat, creative, indie style. They came on stage joined by a small brass section bringing their number to nine and opened with a truly beautiful number in the unmistakable signature sound that The National has made its own--- warm, melodious, thoughtful and original. Then, without interruption went right into “Start a War,” beloved by their fans who were clearly anticipating it.
The audience of mainly clean-cut collegians was surprisingly interspersed with many white-haired elders. This is music with appeal to a variety of tastes. Front man Matt Berninger--- lanky, casual, in a tie and suit ---was the perfect image of an intellectual grad student. His smooth baritone vocals usually deliver the introspective, poetic lyrics in a halting, conversational style. It soon became clear however that this night they intended to perform heavy, super-charged versions of their hits. Although The National is identified with a mellow, soft-rock style, on this occasion they raised the tempo and the decibel level, aided by a massive baritone sax, a trombone and a trumpet which accompanied the electric guitar-based regulars, imparting an ultra-heavy, deep bass quality to such ordinarily sedate songs as “Slow Show” and “City Middle.”
Long and hard-rocking instrumental interludes grew into oscillating, reverberating crescendos of rhythmic feedback. The rapidly paced “Abel” transformed into a furious, driving anthem. Berninger’s casual attire and demeanor became increasingly rowdy, as he and the songs underwent a kind of Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation into vehement hard rockers. The well-behaved crowd held back from an unruly behavior. The only thing that resembled a mosh pit was on stage, where Berninger wantonly flailed both himself and his sound equipment around.
Some new songs were mingled in, but most of the set came from the two great albums, “Alligator” and “Boxer.” After about 15 songs, which included “Secret Meeting” and “Squalor Victoria,” they took a brief break but were promptly pulled back on stage by the enthusiastic audience for another set of three or four encores, among which was the agitated and catchy “Mr. November.” Exhausted and drenched in sweat, Berninger smashed his mike, and they closed the show with fond farewells to the audience.

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

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Review 19 for The National

5 / 5

The National was Electric

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mistaken for Strangers, Brainy, all other songs. Mr. November is always nuts. @

Posted 07/13/2009

by Beppate

Location: New York

Fifth or Sixth time I've seen this band and every time is unforgettable. They are so seasoned and really rock out. The albums, as amazing as they are, cannot compete with their live performances.

Electric factory is always a good time as well. Next time I'll know better about the tailgating just down the block -- that really coulda been awesome had we been better prepared.

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Mistaken for Strangers, Brainy, all other songs. Mr. November is always nuts. @

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Review 20 for The National

5 / 5

The National was by far my favorite show...

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they played "About Today" @

Posted 07/13/2009

by Mechoia

Of all the shows I have seen this year... The National was by far the best. The opening act was so unique and held it's own against The National... but this band was excellent live!!!!! Very entertaining show!!!

The Electric Factory @

- Philadelphia @

,PA @

- Fri, May 29, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they played "About Today" @

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