Interpol
Date: April 15, 2007 Tend to the Engine Tonight After a very quiet period for concerts, Interpol marked my third show in five nights. I wasn't sure what to expect as the band was using Ottawa as the launching point for a small tour prior to the release of their new album. As it turned out, only a handful of unfamiliar songs were included in a set that concentrated on proven material. The capacity crowd undoubtedly appreciated Ottawa's inclusion in what was an implausible tour, while the band was in good spirits, making for a fun night. For me, the concert got off to a sluggish start. Even though I arrived well after the doors had opened, it still took twenty minutes to get through the slow line to the Capital Music Hall and out of the unseasonably cold drizzle. I ended up reaching the club floor in time to see the last few seconds of the opening act, before idling through a changeover time that exceeded forty minutes and tested the collective patience of the packed club. After Interpol finally did take the stage, though, the remainder of the night flew by. The opener, "Pioneer," hinted at a night of new songs but the truth was that only two more were to come. The follow-up of "Obstacle 1" and "Narc" was a more accurate predictor of a hits-laden set that was evenly split between Turn on the Bright Lights and Antics. Interpol has a very recognizable sound throughout their songs; and even from the early moments, that sound was faithfully represented live. Paul Banks' prominent vocals were in fine form, soaring over the signature guitar tone and keyboards. I was particularly impressed by the rhythm section of bassist Carlos Dengler and drummer Sam Fogarino. Fogarino was a force all night, although his energetic playing did force him to abandon the suit jacket and vest that marked the style of the sharp-dressed band. Although diehard fans were likely salivating over "Mammoth" and "The Heinrich Manoeuvre," the other debut numbers, for a casual fan such as myself, it all blended together into a consistent show. The new songs sounded fine, though, fitting in well with proven material, such as "Slow Hands" and "Leif Erikson." While the band was visibly having fun on stage, they spent little time on audience interaction, keeping the music moving at a quick pace. In fact, it was a surprise when "Evil" and "Not Even Jail" wrapped up what was a fairly short set. A three-song encore of "Length of Love," "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down," and "PDA" concluded the headlining slot after shortly over an hour of music. Interpol's visit to Ottawa proved to be more of a warm-up for a band finding its live legs after a hiatus and less of a showcase for their imminent third album. For the sold-out crowd, though, any reason that brought that group to the city was appreciated; and the band fed the audience's good will with a solidly paced, excellent sounding concert. Interpol setlist Main Set
<--Prev (Apostle of Hustle) | Next (Krief)-->Return to Concert ListReturn to Main Page |