The National Tickets

Having traveled to NYC to see The National perform in the Tibet House benefit in February 2000, (and later last year to see the creative multi-media performance of "The Long Count" at BAM with both the Dessners who composed the music and Matt Berninger in a cameo appearance), then to Montreal (at the perfect venue, the Metropolitan, right after seeing the new Cirque du Soleil show, "Ovo"), then to Milwaukee (can't think of a lot of other reasons to go to Milwaukee -- maybe beer, bratwurst and the Brewers?), then at the Wiltern in LA last fall and again this summer at the Wiltern, I think the acoustics in those halls were better suited for the band's music than Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, but they rose to to occasion superbly and were especially in tune with the clearly devoted audience and among themselves with their easy, sardonic banter (and the promised rain did not materialize). I was with over 100 friends/fans and none of them were disappointed. We had some backstage passes after and had a very good conversation with Aaron Dessner who was very personable. He explained that when they scream "We're talking ace this morning" in "Secret Meeting" it means "We're talking nonsense." Will see them again in Pomona on October 16th before they take off again to Europe. My favourite band and I've been going regularly to some pretty amazing concerts for 40 years so that says something.

Great concert. Interaction with crowd very good. Sound was incredible.

so good! these d00ds are professionals! great lights, great rock star attitude, funny and personable d00ds... overall a great show!

The National is an incredible band with an outstanding catalog of music. The Malkin Bowl was also an outstanding outdoor venue. Overall, I very outstanding show I would highly recommend. The opening act, The Walkmen, were good but not great. They also did not play 'The Rat', which I thought to be a great shame.

The National performed a very spare and sophisticated show in a truly beautiful venue. The crowd seemed awed and genuinely honoured to be there.

really really good show, front man has a set of lungs for sure! mixed up a lot of their songs and played some old stuff too. i loved it and would and will see them every time they come thru vancouver

Amazing!!!!!! Great venue too, although we were just lucky it didn't rain.

My first time seeing this band after really getting into them within the last 6 months (I know, where have I been all these years). In any event, they put on a really great show... I would say the crowd was less rowdy then I might have expected but it was definitely older (30ish - sorry to those who are in their 30s+ :P) I didn't mind all too much... more chance to sit and enjoy the music with my girlfriend. I knew pretty much every song but was happy to hear some really good ones that I didn't. Matt's vocals were amazing, so were pretty much all of the instrumentals... I loved the piano and trumpets especially. And can't forget about the drumming... squalor victoria was one of the highlights for sure. I just loved the atmosphere at the Malkin Bowl too... very mellow and relaxed. Lots of people sitting on blankets on the grass and for sale they had all sorts of candy and a mixture of food vendor items you would typically find on downtown streets... definitely beats some of the overpriced food/drink stands I've seen at other concerts. All in all it was entirely worth the money. Didn't see much of the opening band so can't really comment on them but they seemed to but on a good show too.. I liked what little i heard and will check em out later.

Experiencing the National live added a whole new dimension to the band for me. Their sound live adds a harder feel to the songs, and Matt's emotion is well translated to the audience. They played a variety of songs from across their discography which I really appreciated. This was one of the most wonderful and unexpected shows I have been to. I would definitely see the National whenever they come into town.

Although after screaming his lungs out Matt Beringer's voice cracked slightly the song or two to follow it was an amazing show. They brought songs from their complete catalogue and Matt performed multiple songs from the crowd. In short really really good.

Really, really great. They were funny, made me laugh between the sets. Love you guys!

That is the best way I can describe the amazing show I was priviledged to see. The National is one of those rare and these days dying bread of bands...namely true musicians. From the beginning of the concert it is clear that the individuals making up this band enjoy creating and playing music. The live sound is incredible and the quality of the show surpassed anything I expected, and I already had a feeling going in that they would be awesome, but they left all of that in the dust. I also loved the fact that that there was not a lot of flash, pomp or ceremony and the theatrics were kept to a minimum. What you get is a solid, no-nonsense perfomance from the beginning until the end. It is really sad in a way that this band has been around for some 10 years and they haven't gotten more recognition, success and the accolaids they so richly deserve! Nonetheless, they persevere and continue to make great music. Maybe all that is due to the fact that in a sense The National is a kind of an aquired taste, definitely not everybody's cup of water...but once hooked it is hard to find many bands outhere that can match them. The guys in the band were funny and all of them engaged with the audience. The set they played was great, as they have quite a rich catalogue to draw upon, from their self-titled debut album "The National", "Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers", "Alligator" to "Boxer" and their new and teriffic album "High Violet"! I must say that all their albums, individually, are both sonic and lyrical events...they get better and better with each listenning! If you get the chance to see The National play live, go for it, you won't regret it!

I love the National but I was so happy to hear them live. They weren't incredibly interactive with the audience at first, but that didn't take too long to change. They warmed up to us, and Matt came into the audience to croon a bunch of times. It was a fantastic show, and the boys were on point all night long. Massey Hall was a great venue to experience this show. Excellent excellent. Everyone go see The National right now.

The show was so amazing that I wish I had tickets for both nights. Although I wish even more that they could all fit in my room and sing to me every night.

Best concert I have ever had the pleasure of seeing!

Good full set with some Alligator classics. That guy utilizes the space well

I've seen hundreds of bands, but the National were amazing. Next time, I'm going to both shows.

I knew The National would be perfect at Massey Hall. Awesome venue, amazing sounding band. They were bang on, playing pretty much everything I was hoping to hear. I only wished that I had gone to the first night's show as well. Who knows if the vocalists drunkeness was shown as it was this time around. Love small venues where the singers can run around and be interactive with the audience. They're now definitely on my Top 10 List for live shows. Right on.

Amazing live band, full of energy and surprises...... So glad I was able to see them in a smaller venue because these guys have stadium written all over them......

This was my first time to Massey Hall and couldn't have chosen a better venue or band to see in such an intimate location. They were incredible, played with a lot of passion and got the crowd involved. Easily the best concert I have been to.