We felt very fortunate to witness two of the defining indie acts of their generation together at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, with vividly poetic Sydney songwriter Annie Hamilton the icing on the cake.
Annie Hamilton releases new single Talk, ahead of upcoming shows supporting The National
It’s a little hard to imagine a negative review of a Fleet Foxes / National doubleheader, as both are among the most critically lauded acts of their generation.
Fleet Foxes have taken the more sparse route to this standing, releasing four records over the past 16 years, the latest of which (Shore) was essentially a solo record for frontman Robin Pecknold. Pecknold has a stunning baritenor voice, creating a remarkable vocal range that he uses to great effect, particularly on Shore. Even for a group of Fleet Foxes’ fame (they boast monthly listener counts comparable to The National), it’s hard to capture the attention of a filling crowd at the Bowl. When Fleet Foxes harmonise though, everyone shuts up and pays attention.
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Apart from the exposure generated from their collaborations with Taylor Swift, The National headlined proceedings as a band that has consistently delivered critical and commercial successes now for their past seven albums, after first breaking through with Boxer back in 2007. It’s hard to overstate how impressive their ability is to top the charts with a range of introspective and constantly varying records.
They’ve released 10 albums since emerging at the start of this century with a very consistent lineup and that translates on stage. While Fleet Foxes were perhaps a little rusty (Pecknold noting at one point how “complicated” one of their songs was on restarting), The National were exceptionally tight and well-rehearsed, with the sole exception of frontman Matt Berninger, who’s well-known for his somewhat-drunken escapades during sets.
Berninger is the X-factor in the group, with a stage presence that elevates them to ecstatic levels. He’s spoken before about his inherent shyness and his use of alcohol to create the swagger that a band like The National benefits so much from up on stage. While it’s discomforting to credit alcohol with a wonderful performance, this is live music we’re talking about – he’s not dropping acid and playing the guitar with his teeth, but it’s fun to watch a frontman let loose and interact so intimately and lovingly with the crowd.
Their fantastic live show reminded us of the anthemic nature of songs like Fake Empire and Mistaken for Strangers, encapsulating a generation grappling with identity, introspection, and the complexities of modern life. The Dessner brothers’ intricate guitar work also deserves special mention, as the entire group works together as a whole that exceeds the sum of its parts, making The National the highly influential force in the music industry they’ve become.
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