The National headlined the second-installment of Febfest 2014 Thursday night. It is the band’s first time to play the city and it went down as would any first time thing: at a little awkward and a little slow at first, only to peak in a solid climax and end in precious intimacy. The National has a reputation for being really charming and having really tight sets and now, Manila knows why. At the Metro tent in Pasig, the band displayed elegant restraint that really coaxed the crowd in.
It wasn’t until after the fourth song, when lead vocalist Matt Berninger finally greeted and acknowledged the crowd, after which the band pulled a 1-2 punch with “Blood Buzz Ohio” and “Sea of Love.” That’s when the energy really picked up, promising everyone a hell of a good time.
And this good time flowed seamlessly, too, carried by and from one hit to another, a delicious sampling of their five releases. They went from relentless (“Abel”) to quietly gigil (“Slow Show” and “Aparment Story) to a carefree sway (“Pink Rabbits”). By the time they got to “Fake Empire,” the 17th number and supposed finale, the crowd, comprised of expats, millenials, yuppies and everything in between, has been completely hooked and transported in whatever heartbreak or moment that these very The National songs had helped them wade through.
Even if Matt’s beautiful baritone gets most of the attention, it’s hard to ignore the rest of the band—especially when musicians ham it up (as guitarist Bryce Dessner who looked like he enjoyed having a moment as he played those sweet solos), but more so when they play it down. Not so much to give way to Matt’s low and wine-washed voice but to give it space, and to allow it to weave in, out, and in between notes. And when he does, in the spaces that he leaves open, you’ll know that the crowd wasn’t just instagramming that shit out of the concert; they were singing along faintly, enjoying the concert, and enjoying themselves.
The band went back on stage for a strong, three-song encore that started with Mr. November. Here, you feel like The National is making a point, one that you’ll remember for a long time. “I won’t fuck us over,” everyone joined Matt in singing/shouting until it sounded like a jubilant little battle cry. The energy dropped to quiet contentment and sweet relief when the band joined Matt on center stage to sing “Vanderlyle,” acoustic style. With everyone singing along (bonfire lang ang peg!), it made you feel as though you finally made your way back home.
[JUICEBOX_GALLERY]
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Photos and video by Alexander Hotz
