Yesterday we went to see The National.  We'd wanted to see them a couple months ago, but they sold out.  We considered driving to DC, but that sold out, too.  Then we saw that they were playing a free show in New York.  We were all set to go, when we saw, the day before the free show, that they were coming to Philly again.  It was actually cheaper for us to buy tickets than to drive to NY (tolls, gas, parking, food ...)

So finally, yesterday was the day.  The National are an amazing band.  They are super tight players.  Amazing.  The lead singer has a bad cold and was drinking Robitussin straight from the bottle.  Poor guy was also coughing a bunch in between songs.  He seemed a little spacey and nervous (he was actually biting his fingernails after the first song).  I thought that it might have been the Robitussin, but maybe it's just the way he is.  I guess I'll find out next time.  He was good, but you could hear hints of what he can really do when he's not sick.

Not only are The National great musicians, but their lyrics are awesome.  They write pretty interesting and thinky songs.  What's weird, is that their whole audience (at least in Philly) were YOUNG.  Like high-school-young.  The guys standing next to us must have been seniors, because they were talking about what colleges they were going to apply to.

At least they weren't moshing like the kids at the Of Montreal concert.  I have to wonder if The National cares that they appeal to teeny boppers.  Where were all the hipsters (not that I like them any better than the kids)?  Although I can't say too much because I was one of the knobs taking cell phone pictures (just the three above) during the concert.  I wasn't going to, but then I couldn't resist.

The two opening bands were good (lucky us!).

Doveman is one of Andrew's new favorites.  The didn't really command the audience much because they sat in chairs the whole time.  They have one song that sounds super-Cure ... like if Seventeen Seconds-era Cure had a baby with a slow Psychedelic Furs song.  I LOVE that song.

The Rosebuds (from SC) we also saw open for Yo La Tengo ... they are OK.  I don't like their new dance-music direction, but their lead singer has an awesome voice.

[photo taken 9/6/2007 in Philadelphia]

[title from the lyrics of "Mr. November" by The National from "Alligator"]>