Matt Berninger, the lead singer of The National, spoke candidly in an interview just hours before the band’s closing headline set at The Other Stage at Glastonbury 2024. Despite having performed at the festival numerous times, Berninger revealed that he doesn’t like to know what songs will be on the setlist as it takes away from the magic of the performance. “If I knew what all the songs were then I wouldn’t be able to let go as much,” he said.
As the band took to the stage, they brought a soothing yet electrifying energy to Glastonbury. The performance was highlighted by Berninger’s on-stage antics, including enacting the lyrics of “Conversation 16” and racing around the safety barrier during “Terrible Love”. Key songs from their catalogue like “Bloodbuzz Ohio” were met with rapturous applause. This, paired with newer cuts from their double album, “The First Two Pages Of Frankenstein” and “Laugh Track”, made for a powerful performance.
The band also made politically charged statements, tackling the “bleak state of politics in the US” with “The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness” and “Fake Empire”. Berninger acknowledged that the lyrics of “Fake Empire” “keeps getting more and more appropriate – that is really depressing”. The performance was an all-encompassing set of tension and release, as the Dessner twins shredded their guitars and Berninger lost himself in the music.
Despite having the perfect setlist for such an occasion, The National played each song as if it could be their last, taking their audience on a journey with each and every note. The show ended with the emotionally-charged “About Today”, with Berninger and the crowd left choked up. It was clear that The National gave their all and couldn’t have delivered a better performance.
Fans of The National praised their latest Glastonbury performance and their loyal cult following remains as strong as ever. It’s clear that The National’s music is a unique experience, where each song is meant to be savored like a new flavored gum ball – something that Berninger seems to have accomplished with ease
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