On Saturday night, local heroes Interpol made their proper homecoming return with a big-time performance at Madison Square Garden (much bigger than the last time we caught them). They last played The Garden in 2007, when things were much different for the indie music landscape. Which made it fitting that they not only were still able to return to play The World’s Most Famous Arena, but to also bring along Car Seat Headrest and Snail Mail, two of the most promising young bands in the game today, (and fellow Matador Records labelmates) to open up the show.
With the early curfew at MSG, both bands were limited to just four songs apiece but it was safe to say that they definitely made their mark on the night and made a few new fans along the way. These abbreviated sets allowed them to play their hits right out of the gate and made for an impressive performance at the world’s biggest stage.
While so many of their peers have faded in more ways than one, Interpol has persevered and continued going strong on their own terms. They’re the sort of band it’s easy to take for granted. While this performance came as a part of their tour in support of last year’s Marauder, the band actually played more off of their beloved first two albums, Turn On the Bright Lights and Antics. Considering that they also just played all of Turn On the Bright Lights in full for its 15th anniversary, it was great to still get so many songs off of that album.
They gave us choice cuts from all the rest of the albums, including opening with “Pioneer to the Falls” (off of Our Love to Admire), “All the Rage Back Home” (off El Pintor) and “Lights” (off of their self-titled). The songs that were played from Marauder had more punch live and carried quite well through the large space that is MSG. They also gave us a performance of their newly released song, “Fine Mess,” which fit like a glove with the rest of the set. The show was well paced and felt like a greatest hits showcase of sorts, well balanced and thought out.
It seems that the trio of Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler, and Sam Fogarino are as strong as ever right now and alongside touring members Brad Traux and Brandon Curtis are at a healthy place which will allow them to continue to keep Interpol going for many more years and maybe another return to The Garden in due time.
Snail Mail:
Snail Mail setlist:
1. (Opening Jam)
2. Heat Wave
3. Thinning
4. Speaking Terms
5. Pristine
Car Seat Headrest:
Car Seat Headrest setlist:
1. Can’t Cool Me Down
2. Bodys
3. Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales
4. Destroyed by Hippie Powers
Interpol:
Interpol setlist:
Pioneer to the Falls
C’mere
If You Really Love Nothing
Public Pervert
Roland
Complications
Say Hello to the Angels
NYC
Take You on a Cruise
The Rover
Rest My Chemistry
Evil
Flight of Fancy
The New
All the Rage Back Home
Fine Mess
Slow Hands
Lights
Not Even Jail
Obstacle 1
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