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Formed in 1999, The National have established themselves as mainstays of arenas and festivals with sold-out performances and headlining slots around the world. The band has scored five top 10 albums on The Billboard 200, multiple Grammy nominations with 2017's Sleep Well Beast earning the award for Best Alternative Album, consisting of Matt Berninger (vocals) fronting two pairs of brothers: Aaron (guitar, bass, piano) and Bryce Dessner (guitar, piano), and Scott (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).
The National dropped not one but two new albums in 2023. First Two Pages of Frankenstein was released in April, followed by a surprise album Laugh Track in September, both on 4AD. Across two albums worth of new material they were joined by Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, Roseanne Cash, Bon Iver and Sufjian Stevens. 2023 was their best live year yet, selling out shows in North America and Europe, including Madison Square Garden, LA's Greek Theatre and Alexandra Palace in London.
Named one of their "Best Albums of 2023", Rolling Stone called First Two Pages of Frankenstein "...a remarkable reassertion of their potency and shared commitment...Nine albums deep, the National found new energy by conjuring not just a great, suffocating fog but also the far light that guides the way out." They were also named Forbes's "Band of the Year", with the article stating, "All The National did in 2023 was release two superb albums ... have a brilliant sold-out tour, deliver the festival set of the year with their riveting performance at BottleRock and collaborated with the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Swift and Sufjan Stevens. The National are so consistently great it becomes easy to take for granted they will be at the top of their game. But even by their lofty standards this was an incredible year." And The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich named it as one of her favorites of the year, saying if you already like "what the National has been doing for the past two-plus decades - making brooding, fraught, atmospheric rock and roll, marked by careful, resonant production and a ribbon of debauched humor--you are likely to also savor First Two Pages of Frankenstein, a heady encapsulation of the band's entire gestalt."
This was a truly great show by this wonderful indie band, with both old songs and new. The show was greatly enhanced by a superb 'backdrop' techno-mix of real-time band shots and abstract art -- perfectly reflecting the band's artistry.
The National show was awesome but the microphone sounds wasn’t good. It sounded like the vocal was blurry and guitars were too sharp. Not sure if it’s the microphone or speaker or PA’s issue but it sounded much better when I went to their show in Greek Theater a couple of years ago.
Travelled from NY to see them. They did not disappoint. They came out energized mixing in new and old songs. Played for 2 1/2 hours without one clunker in the batch. The venue was perfect for their music. Saw them at MSG in NY. This was the better show.
This was my third time seeing The National in concert. The first time was amazing, and the last two have been some of the most disappointing concerts I've been to. The band sounds great, but Matt does not. Voice is scratchy and hoarse.
I love The National - this was the sixth time I've seen them perform, but this year - and last - the lighting of the stage has been so dark that unless you're sitting in the front section, you essentially have to watch the show on the monitors, because the band is so darkly lit you can't see them. That said, their music is always great!
I’ve watched The National before and they are great performers. The Budweiser stage is very weirdly set up, every concert I go there I don’t feel any good concert vibe, the sound is really low on the lawn and the lawn itself is very poorly maintained. Every spot you get somehow you can’t have a clear view of the stage and the screens are too small for being such a big venue. I don’t even see the point of the chairs where the general admission used to be, most of the artists that go have a vibe for dancing and people end up standing up to watch the show. Overall, the venue set up is really bad, sound and view are terrible. It is honestly the worst venue I’ve ever been worldwide. I know for a fact that I won’t be going to that venue anymore. The National are great, but not at Budweiser.
I do not need to repeat the multiple accolades well earned. The sound system delivered in clarity and bass, the set was varied, and the encore was long and appreciated! What I would have appreciated, was for the band to be lit up. The stage was dark. The cameras more then compensated, showing what was happening on multiple large screens, showing each member or two when they had solos, but it would have been nice to see the band playing as a whole, and that seldom happened. Still, VERY worthwhile seeing.
The National is a great band. The sound quality was adjusted by the middle of the show but it was really challenging to hear the vocals, back up vocals and the trumpet. By the middle of the show the sound quality got better. Overall it was a good show and I am glad they got the sound sorted. The vocals were very hard to hear throughout the show.
The boys always pull out all the stops it seems when they head every so slightly across our nations border. Great setlist. Played 120 minutes straight. Everything that keeps me going to any National show I can.
Fabulous Show Great Lighting and acoustics lots of new songs too
Just a fantastic show, everyone singing along, wonderful musicians. Second time I've seen them and so good.
Absolutely incredible performance. I will definitely be seeing them again!
Did not meet anyone who did not think the show was tremendous. Slow sad songs were anything but as the band rocked through a 2 hour set. Patti Smith was her usual inspired self and the crowd was very appreciative
Starting off with the legend that is Patti Smith, is 1 of the best opening acts I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. The National were superb, varying their set with old and new and plenty of my favorites. A fantastic live band giving 110% each time I've seen them. The National, in MSG, box ticked.
Patti sings and gives it her all. She was fantastic. I was really blown away. I expected her to tip toe through classic songs, but she made them feel fresh and urgent. Patti and her band were the best part of the concert. The National has a great band, but the lead singer doesn't sing....he talks his way through the music. Boring.
The National had a very good stage control. It was a moment that went by so fast that I didn't believe I was there that long. I will attend another National show in a heartbeat and I will proudly take my wife along....I enjoyed every moment of it.
The National delivered a great show. They rocked the Garden.
I traveled all the way from Australia to come and see The National at Madison Square Garden and I was completely worth it. They were amazing.
My seats were pretty good and I’m glad there were snacks and restroom right outside to where I was sitting. I enjoyed the concert.
Not knowing what to expect, I went to the National show at MSG hoping the band would sound as good live as they do on record. The truth is they were better! An amazing show! The sound was incredible and the performance was flawless.. A must see! Patti Smith was the opener and sounded wonderful also.
