INTERPOL
Edinburgh, Liquid Rooms, 24th August 2003
Perhaps this shouldn't have been the revelation that it was. But, despite loving 'Turn on the Bright Lights' I actually had concerns that Interpol might just be a little too serious live. Totally wrong.
The one thing that shone through at this gig was the personality of the band. Carlos of course with his slightly camp posturing and posing is the main visual attraction but it was clear that everyone else was simply thriving on playing in front of an audience and that really lifted what would have otherwise been a fine gig into the stratosphere.
So there wasn't much else other than 'TOTBL', but then when the material's so good why would that be a problem?
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The record of course is so strong and well produced there
might have been a fear that this would be result in ramshackle versions of
the songs but that wasn't the case. These guys can play and all you got was
a superb dose of excitement over
and above the songs themselves. Highlights? All the expected ones, PDA, NYC, Obstacle 1, Roland and Leif Erickson in no particular order. The one song I didn't know (four in- 'C'mere' - September 2004 note) was terrific too, perhaps a lighter, more poppier song than normal which nevertheless retained that distinctive Interpol touch. |
The downside? Probably just the finale to the encore. With just two songs left to choose from, The New would win for me over Obstacle 2 anytime but we got the latter.
And what is it with kids today? The band had received a rapturous reception all through but even before the house lights have come up people start drifting away like there's no chance of another song. I mean, maybe not but surely it's worth trying?
Forget the 80s comparisons - Interpol are very much a band of the present regardless of their influences. See them live, buy all their records - make these guys stars.