The National at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre, San Diego, CA (2023-11-11)

“11-11” was not only Singles Day in much of the world, but also seemed to have some kind of musical symmetry to the date. So, when we heard that acclaimed alternative rock band The National was on a brief West Coast/TX tour before heading overseas early next year, we just had to make our way over to catch a show.

A brisk evening on the campus of San Diego State University at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre turned out to be the right choice to see the right band.

After starting out in Brooklyn (by way of Cincinnati) in the late 90’s, the band members now find themselves spread out, even to other countries, assembling for recording and touring, and are out in support of not only of their acclaimed ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein (via 4AD Records) but a surprise follow-up release, Laugh Track, put out in mid-September, that collectively ends a chapter in the band’s evolution (which also includes 2019’s I Am Easy to Find).

===

The evening began with an earlier-than-many-expected half-hour opening set from Los Angeles alternative band Hand Habits- friends of, and handpicked by the headliners, in support of their latest EP, Sugar the Bruise, released in June.

The band is the brainchild of Meg Duffy, the singer and guitarist who has contributed to records by The War on Drugs, Weyes Blood, Perfume Genius, and Sasami, among others and KC locals may remember Duffy as a mainstay in Kevin Morby's live band.

In 2021, they released the full-length LP Fun House and Duffy continues to be busy, collaborating with musician Gregory Uhlmann for their instrumental Doubles album (via Orindal Records), released in September.

Duffy’s voice and lyrics often have a backdrop of sadness, but a tone that also promotes hope, in finding whatever possible light in a situation, as on 2019’s “Jessica” which was dedicated to anyone in the crowd with the same name, as well as a crowd member named Violet. Duffy admits in the song, “I forget you shattered my reality, I forget, (but) I do, I do forgive. “

===

As lights again dimmed, The National took to the stage for a headlining set that ran just shy of 2 ½ hours, beginning gently with the opener from Frankenstein, “Once Upon a Poolside” before twin guitarists Aaron and Bryce Dessner turned up the volume and singer Matt Berninger became more lyrically forceful on the biting, “Eucalyptus”.

Berninger’s lyrics remain complex, literary, and are usually have a somber but oh-so-appealing level of melancholy that rivals classic mope bands like The Cure and The Smiths among others (self-described 'sad dad' rock). Musically, the band is playing at its best on this tour, seasoned after two decades, and featuring the unique simpatico of not one, but two sets of brothers that make up the group.

Bassist Scott Devendorf and drumming brother Bryan may look unassuming as they play, but there’s a structured resonance to the notes they contribute, strengthened by the unspoken language between them, that makes for a compelling rhythm section.

Following a breezy “Tropic Morning News”, the band plucked out a rarity from their song catalog in 2007’s “Squalor Victoria” before returning to radio hits “Don't Swallow the Cap” and 2010’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” The Dessners  often faced each other during the guitar passages, but also stayed on their own respective sides, at least six feet apart, as if any closer might be too close to risk some kind of explosion.

Songs like the newer “Alien” had an extra punch live, and Berninger would go into the crowd a few times, including on 2017’s “Day I Die” that found him sprinting from one side of the theater seats to the other, all the while singing through his corded microphone. The crew member on stage that was managing the long mic cord looked like he was marlin fishing, careful to know when exactly to reel in, and when to slack the line.

To catch our unified breath following, a sullen “Light Years” made everyone in the crowd feel the distance and separation that’s often a byproduct of loss, then lights synced and the video screen behind the band showed an abstract live feed of the band, as they performed “England” with the crowd all singing along.

2007’s “Fake Empire” continues to be even more apropos in these divisive times with Berninger mentioning randomly earlier in the set, that he and some of the band went to the same high school as fellow Cincy native and current Republican Presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy.

The main set would end on more of a down beat (diehard fans wouldn’t want it any other way) with 2004’s “About Today” and Berninger lyrically wondering, “How close am I to losing you?” but ended with a building instrumental flourish.

The encore would also start on a slower pace, with the title track from the newest album (the video of which, just dropped as well) before they completely unleashed on 2005’s (and month-appropriate) “Mr. November” while 2010’s “Terrible Love” found Berninger in the crowd again, to everyone’s delight.

With the venue’s curfew time fast approaching (sadly not enough time for the "Vanderlyle" sing-a–long), new song “Space Invader” would end the evening, sounding even more impactful than the studio version with Berninger emoting one last time about alternate realities, potential regrets, and being tethered to a life you wonder if you can ever escape; while sonically, the finely tuned noise grew louder and louder, before ending with a true exclamation point.

The National proved again, why they are one of the finest American bands of this century, and the evening proved well worth traveling across half the country for. Any chance to see them live, shouldn’t be missed and we’re anxious to see what their next musical chapter will bring.

 (Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)