By: David de Young
Interpol made their second trip to Minneapolis in just over four months on Tuesday night for a exciting and inspiring concert event at First Avenue that turned out just about everybody who's anybody in the Twin Cities alt-rock scene, scenesters, fans, and bands alike. (Oh, and I was there too.)
It seemed to me that Interpol's latest visit to town was a musical event, not just a mere concert. I found myself doing things in preparation for the show more typical of the music fan I was in younger days in contrast to the journalistic type of research I typically do these days before shows. Starting almost immediately after work on Tuesday, my date and I sat around in my living room drinking first wine, then whiskey, listening first to Interpol's album "Turn on the Bright Lights" (Matador, 2002) (which I mentioned in my previous Interpol review for some reason drives me to drink, alcoholically and self-indulgently no less.) The spinning of Interpol's disc led us into playing a bunch of Joy Division, New Order, The Cure, etc. You get the picture: a veritable a musical trip down memory lane of bands that I rightly or wrongly associate with Interpol.
We got so into our pre-concert warm-up session that we ended up missing both opening acts, the Tide (local) and the NYC retro outfit Calla. If you wonder why I mention this at all it's because I don't think I was alone in drinking too much and engaging in such pre-show rituals on Tuesday night. Nor do I suppose I was the only person who experienced the Interpol show as a fashion and social event as much as a rock show. (I realize that all concerts are a little bit of both, but I'm talking about a matter of degree here.) Additionally, and I'd have to say to their credit, Interpol has a way of forcing even music journalists into fan mode; and I, for one, am glad when I think the last time it took place was the summer of 2001 when the band that forced that mode change was another New York City band, the Strokes, now household names even outside the hardcore group of new music fans.
Musically, Interpol is doing pretty much the same thing they were doing on their previous visit to Minneapolis on September 9th when they played to a packed 400 Bar on the West Bank. On this visit to town, however, they're now doing it better and on a larger scale. They are incredibly tight. They have a a kind of non stage presence stage presence where less certainly is more. You get the distinct inmpression that when this band is playing that they have come to do a specific job, and do it as well as they can. Somehow the band is able to remain fairly stationary for long periods and instead of lulling you into a sense that nothing's happening on stage, instead you find yourself transfixed, watching them as if they are a movie with its own live soundtrack and letting the music wash over and through you.
I wasn't able to get as close to the band as I would have liked as First Avenue was definitely near capacity. But the sound was quite good from the various locations towards the back of the club at which I set up camp throughout the show. Someone who was close to the front and paying a lot closer attention than I was confirmed that the show was nearly flawless and that he'd noticed only a couple mistakes in the entire set. Interpol does a terrific job of recreating the sound and feel of their album live, and that can only mean they do a terrific job of filling a club with tense and beautiful musical energy.
Interpol appeared to deviate only slightly from a set list I'd grabbed off the internet from a show they played in New York at the Bowery Ballroom a few weeks back on December 21st. (I'm attaching a scan of a set list from that recent New York show below which I think is pretty close to if not entirely accurate down to the two encores.) Actually, the set list wasn't all that different from the one they played during their visit to Minneapolis last fall (not unusual as it was just 4 months ago after all.) There was at least one new song added to the roster since then, a song called "Length of Love" which as far as I know has not been recorded and unfortunately I can't describe to you (what good am I?) But I can tell you that the new song is a definite teaser that should have gotten those in attendance anticipating a new Interpol CD with baited breath even while their debut release continues to feel fresh as it did when it was released in August of 2002. PDA, their biggest hit to date, got even more response due to recognition than it did 4 months ago complete with plenty of singing along and head bobbing up towards the front of the crowd. Is there really anyone now who has not at least heard this song? PDA is the song the band performed on David Letterman last week. It was also featured in so many year end radio roundups as "Turn on the Bright Lights" made so many DJ and Journalist Top 10 lists of 2002, including my own.
After a handful more of US Dates Interpol heads to England at the end of January to kick off a string of dates for the NME Awards Tour 2003 with The Datsuns, The Polyphonic Spree and The Thrills.
Interpol Setlist courtesy of http://www.nstop.com
Location Info:
First Avenue
Artist Info: Interpol
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