20 replies to this topic

[In transit]

Fresh from their hilarious Brit Awards nomination for International Breakthrough Act up against Justin Bieber and the Glee Cast (sure to be a nail-biting evening for Matt and co) I wonder whether The National might stick around long enough to play this year's festival.

They seem to like the UK and are one of the best bands for atmospheric songwriting in the world in my opinion. The only problem is where they might play. They've served their penance on the stage of gash last year and have already headlined a smaller stage so it will perhaps take another album before they return.

[jimmyt]

I'd love them to play but not on t'Other stage again - although they sounded great the atmosphere was almost non-existent.  Couldn't they headline the JP?  I think that's their perfect Glasto slot.

[olliet101]

Funnily enough I'm listening to their latest album yet again when I came across this - I'd love it but I can't see it happening on the same record.

[In transit]

I'd agree but that's exactly what they did in 2008 which sadly I missed. I fear the best opportunity to see them at Glastonbury may have gone.

[Toilet Duck]

Yeah, think it'll be another time...they are a curious sized band really in terms of where they could play. Too big for JP now, not big enough to headline either Pyramid or Other...I've seen them a bunch of times and last year's Other stage set was the worst (not that they themselves were bad, it's just not the right stage for them)...saw them indoors and on a main stage in the dark later in the year and both sets were fantastic. A Jazzworld/West Holts sized field is just about perfect in size, but they don't fit the programming over there, so hard to know where they could play next!...

[lac999]

I could actually see them doing the sunset on t'other, as they could really pull it off I'd say.
Also, I thought they were absolutely incredible there this year, and that the atmosphere was brilliant. But, I was basically at the front...

[robith]

jimmyt, on 13 January 2011 - 11:29 PM, said:

I'd love them to play but not on t'Other stage again - although they sounded great the atmosphere was almost non-existent.  Couldn't they headline the JP?  I think that's their perfect Glasto slot.

They headlined the JP in 2008 and it was a third full

[Timme]

I'd love to see this happening as i'm ashamed to say i've only really heard of their stuff in the last few months, but have fallen in love with them.

[tevaburger]

lac999, on 14 January 2011 - 12:00 AM, said:

Also, I thought they were absolutely incredible there this year, and that the atmosphere was brilliant. But, I was basically at the front...

I was up front too, and thought same. I thought they nailed their set, and you could tell just with the prep beforehand that they recognized this was a key gig. Can't see them coming back so soon though.

I made what I believe to be my BBC tv debut as well, during the always-brilliant-when-played-live 'Squalor Victoria'
at the 3:30-to-3:35 slot and i'm the bloke in blue hat, white shirt, sunburned face (no sunglasses) w/ sideburns, black bag strap visible on L shoulder, to the right of Matt Berninger & moving towards him with my Flip Mino vid in hand … and then again at 4:18-4:22 as I pat him on the back as he returns.  

[zeppelin]

was gutted i missed them this year
went to see dead weather (who were actually brilliant!!!) and biffy

really need to see the national though!

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I was looking at their placings before, and it's amazing how they've progressed slot wise. Pyramid or very high Other is only place for them now.

[blackcockerel]

They were great, but not as great as they were at Green Man in 2008, that was a brilliant set!

[lac999]

tevaburger, on 14 January 2011 - 04:24 PM, said:

I was up front too, and thought same. I thought they nailed their set, and you could tell just with the prep beforehand that they recognized this was a key gig. Can't see them coming back so soon though.

I made what I believe to be my BBC tv debut as well, during the always-brilliant-when-played-live 'Squalor Victoria'
at the 3:30-to-3:35 slot and i'm the bloke in blue hat, white shirt, sunburned face (no sunglasses) w/ sideburns, black bag strap visible on L shoulder, to the right of Matt Berninger & moving towards him with my Flip Mino vid in hand … and then again at 4:18-4:22 as I pat him on the back as he returns.  

This is my 2nd one after being prominent (there was a Camera right by me) when KOL played Reading in 2007.

You can see me in the red t-shirt and hat bobbing up and down at the top of the screen at around 4:20-22

[onthebeach]

Toilet Duck, on 13 January 2011 - 11:35 PM, said:

Yeah, think it'll be another time...they are a curious sized band really in terms of where they could play. Too big for JP now, not big enough to headline either Pyramid or Other...I've seen them a bunch of times and last year's Other stage set was the worst (not that they themselves were bad, it's just not the right stage for them)...saw them indoors and on a main stage in the dark later in the year and both sets were fantastic. A Jazzworld/West Holts sized field is just about perfect in size, but they don't fit the programming over there, so hard to know where they could play next!...

I have to agree - I had the pleasure of seeing them last year at Glastonbury, main stage in the evening at la Route du Rock but for me the best was a small gig at Warwick Arts Centre with the sublime ending of an unplugged version of 'Vanderlyle'.

I would love to see them again at Glastonbury 2011 but I am unsure which stage/slot they would fit into.  Luckily, I will be seeing them at Primavera, Barcelona in May this year so if I get to see them again in June at Glastonbury that will certainly be a bonus.

Andrea

Edited by onthebeach, 14 January 2011 - 07:01 PM.

[ilovelanegan]

Saw them in both the JP headline slot in 2008 and last year on the Other stage - both times they were fantastic, I knew the material better last year so it was more of a singalong for me personally but I do think they suit the indoor / more intimate venue better. Would love to see them in the JP again but they're really too big now... sunset on Other a good shout? Unless it's too soon to play again... hope not.

Let's face it I'll watch them anywhere - doubt I'll ever beat seeing them at Brixton in November though... after a note-perfect set playing all my favourites, the place was rocking and then Berninger did his usual trip into the crowd but this time came STRAIGHT towards us and I got a bear hug from the man. Followed by an acoustic Vanderlyle Crybaby... sigh. Perfect.

[Vanderlyle]

What is this 'Vanderlyle' tune you speak of?

... I would love to see them on the sunset spot. National or Elbow. 7pm. Sunday. Mmmmmm. No longer feeling the come-down

[Neville Street]

I woz there JP 08, Other 10 and Warwick 10. Doubt we will see them at Glastonbury this year, but would love to be wrong  

[sweet and tender hooligan]

Adam from Beggars (their label) who posts on their forum occassionally, has said that they are looking to finalise some American festival dates but no mention of anything else in Europe beyond Primavera Sound.  Hardly suprising given how long and intense the High Violet touring cycle has been. Plus that it takes them about three years to make an album  

I loved the Brixton shows, especially getting some songs from Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers on the second night.  A really underated/ignored album in my opinion.

[bluesmith]

The National have announced two European dates (Werchter & Ferrara) at the start of July, might be a chance they play now?

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

bluesmith, on 03 February 2011 - 06:32 PM, said:

The National have announced two European dates (Werchter & Ferrara) at the start of July, might be a chance they play now?

I would love to see them play, but the question is, where?

As I said above, they've progressed slots every time they've played so the only place is pyramid or other. Seeing Kaiser Chiefs being announced for a fest today the week of Glasto, makes me believe one of the Other days could be:

Pulp
Kaiser Chiefs
The National.