In June of 2002, Interpol played their first show in D.C. at the 930 Club. They opened for Clinic, and they had not yet released their first album, Turn on the Bright Lights. I remember there being a buzz about this band that was being compared to Joy Division. However, I didn’t discover Interpol myself until the summer of 2004. Robert Smith, of The Cure, organized the Curiosa Festival which included a stop at Merriweather Post Pavilion. This festival featured several artists who were just making it on the scene in the early 2000’s, and among them were Muse, Mogwai, and Interpol.
The song that really made me fall in love with Interpol was “Evil”. Everything about this song just clicked with me and I picked up their second release, Antics, as soon as it was released in August of that year. I was very grateful that I was able to see Interpol perform at the Curiosa Festival. For those of you who enjoy a little nostalgia, you can see Interpol’s performance at the Curiosa Festival in Camden New Jersey just a few days before the Merriweather Post show.
Fast forward nearly 20 years later, and I find myself memorized while watching Interpol perform at The Anthem this past Friday, February 15th. Everything about this show was perfection. The band’s demeanor on stage was delightful. They smiled out to the fans eagerly lining the barricade as they delivered songs, both new and old, to the most incredible lights display.
Interpol kicked off their set at The Anthem with “Pioneer to the Falls”, an older song released in 2007. This slower song was brought to life with the dream-like light beams from the disco ball placed at the top of the stage. Interpol transported us to another world and kept us there for the duration of their set. They followed this with “C’mere” from Antics, my personal favorite album of theirs from 2004.
Although they just released a new album, Marauder, Interpol really played for their fans. They only performed 4 songs off the new album. These were, “If You Really Love Nothing”, The Rover, Complications, and Flight of Fancy. These songs are the first 4 songs of their 2018 release. The highlight of the newer songs for me was “Complications”. This song carries a rhythm that is very close to a ska beat as it meanders about with echoing vocals.
Then, about halfway through the set, Interpol took us back to a dreamlike state with “NYC”, off their debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights. Mystical reflections from the disco ball filled The Anthem, spinning the audience around with them as they echoed repeatedly, “It’s up to me now, turn on the bright lights”. Interpol also performed a new song entitled, “Fine Mess”. Front man, Paul Banks and lead guitarist, Daniel Kessler were debating the number of times they had played this song live. Finally, they agreed on it being the third time. However, after a false start, Banks joked, “Well now it’s the fourth!”
Finally, Interpol rounded out their main set, with “Slow Hands”, their most popular single from Antics. They returned to the stage with “Lights”, the only song they performed of their 2010 album, Interpol. In addition, they performed “Not Even Jail” from Antics and concluded with “Obstacle “1 from their debut album.
Even though it is only February, I am sure that this show will make it to my top 10 of 2019. Interpol delivered an experience of lights and sound which reinforced for me the love that I have for this band. Therefore, I’m looking forward to more great things from Interpol this year!
Here are photos from Interpol performing at The Anthem on February 15, 2019. All photos copyright and courtesy of Shantel Breen/These Subtle Sounds. See more on On Tap Magazine.
