The National Tickets

I think The National is a great recording band. Their cd's are lush and fun to listen to beginning to end. Live, however, they are completely underwhelming. Either due to inexperience or stage fright, the band seems practically frozen in place and their set list never rises to a level of excitement greater than simple toe tapping. If you're a super-fan, you'll likely find nothing wrong with their stage show, but if you're looking for a dynamic live show, The National will not rise to meet your expectations.

I love this band, and they love this venue. It was fantastic. I really can't say enough good things. It was absolutely perfect.

pretty amazing....................................

Sounded great live, but at least half the songs were from the new record. I'll never understand why any band would play so many songs off an album that isn't out yet.

Absolutely fantastic show. This was my first time seeing the National live and they just blew me away. They played a lot of new material that sounds really promising and some crazy renditions of songs off Boxer and Alligator that really just energized the crowd. Beringer broke several wine glasses and crowd surfed. Good stuff. The best songs for me were Secret Meeting, an insane version of Squalor Victoria, Abel, Mr. November, and Terrible Love.

The National put on an outstanding show last night at The National in Richmond, VA. They played some songs from their new album, which were awesome, but also played lots of great "oldies!" You gotta love the energy they have during all of their songs, and especially last night with "Mr. November!" Great show! I hope they come to RIchmond every year!

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.

Fantastic vocals. Phenomenal musicians! Great show.

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

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

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.

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!!

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.