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Review: Interpol, Bristol Beacon – ‘Polished and grand’
The stunning Bristol Beacon saw Interpol stop by to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their second album Antics – a huge one for so many people back in 2004, soundtracking nights in and out in equal measure.
The band simplify things by playing the album in order. An album anniversary show offers the comfort of knowing that if your favourite song is on the album it will definitely be played.
It seemed each song was someone’s favourite on this night, with audible gasps of pleasure throughout as the introductions sounded out.
is needed now More than ever
The band, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Antics, are at home in this environment
The band take to the stage behind a transparent screen, lit up by moody red projectors. They open with Next Exit, a fittingly slow and atmospheric start to proceedings. The Beacon seems a perfect home for Interpol, both sounding incredibly polished and grand.
As the screen drops – to a large amount of excitement in the crowd – the band drop Evil, a song with a bassline and opening line that wedges itself in the head.
Paul Bank’s voice is as rich and as deep as ever, as if preserved for 20 years. He has little interaction with the crowd: there is the odd “thank you very much” in an Elvis style; otherwise he’s offering us the songs and that’s all we need. Around me people are the epitome of lost in music.
Paul Bank’s voice has lost none of its sheen and guitarist Daniel Kessler is still moved by the music
Guitarist Daniel Kessler twists intensely during the anthem that is Slow Hands, and the song goes off. It is Interpol at their catchy rock’n’roll best. The band are illuminated by bright blue lights with a stunning use of lazers shooting from behind and framing the band.
The lyrics fly back into my consciousness, reinvigorated, renewed and glorious. There’s classic C’mere and Length of Love before the album closes with A Time To Be Small; but thankfully there is still plenty to come.
A quick turnaround for the second half of the set sees the band hit us with more classics.
Live, NYC is an eye-closing singalong hitting deep. Roland is marauding, spiky punky and a lot of fun to dance around to. The set seems to fly by as we hit the finale, and thank god it is Obstacle 1, a song that could be said to sum up the Interpol sound.
It’s delivered with intense passion and hits straight to the point of rock’n’roll.
All images: Matt Barnes
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