September used to be a seasonal-depression month for me.
And while things are getting somewhat better, I still can’t keep myself for staying in The National frame of mind for that month. Last year, I’ve missed the concert in London, so this year I made sure to travel to the closest one. I guess as a sort of a ritual; I’ve been to one when I was moving from Croatia; I’ve been to one when I was moving from the US. It would have only been fitting to have some closure to the part of the life in the UK. While the concert itself didn’t capture the feelings of some of the early concerts it was still really nice to hear them once again; more than 10 years after I’ve been to the first one. I especially loved the live version of the Eucalyptus — a song I didn’t pay too much attention on the record.

The venue was gorgeous and it felt almost a religious experience being down in the pit amongst the “true” fans. Where people shushed each-other and sang word for word, even to the new songs.

And the mix of the old and the new songs was on point. Yes, I do wish they have played the entire Boxer, maybe forgone some of the high violet or even the new songs, but the crew seemed to all vibe and the concert flew really really nicely. I also discovered some of the new stuff that I somehow missed on the album.

The only “surprise” of the show (for me, at least; apparently it’s been common in the last few concerts) was the last song. I was ready to belt out to the vague rhythm Matt sets for the Geeks, however they closed this show with “About Today”. In retrospect, I cannot think of a song that would have been more fitting and that I needed to hear more, I’m pretty sure 3/4 of the hall were crying by the end of it. It was a perfect closure.

And finally, happy happy birthday to the only person I’d ever consider going to The National with again. Hope you had a great day, wherever you are.