"The band’s onstage presence suits their music almost perfectly." - Conor Considine
Taking to the stage to a rapturous welcome in the Astoria, Interpol returned to London to showcase material from their new record “Our Love to Admire”. Opener “Pioneer to the Falls” sets the tone with typical delayed guitars and Paul Bank’s elegant lyrics “You fly straight into my heart, but here comes the fall”. Moving straight into “Slow Hands” which releases a huge amount of tension from both the band and the audience as a solid core politely pogos at the first opportunity.
Interpol have hardly tinkered with a winning formula for their new material. “Heinrich Maneuver”, the third album's lead single, moves along at a fine pace without ever threatening to go prog, and it is a testament to the bands pop skills that it is greeted like an old favourite. The band’s onstage presence suits their music almost perfectly. Bassist Carlos D arrives on stage in a perfect morning suit with black waistcoat and black shirt, never giving the slightest impression of being remotely interested in where he is (though thankfully gone is the gun-holster replaced by a moustache that gives him an almost cuddly appearance). Meanwhile guitarist Daniel Kessler sports a double breasted suit, somehow never breaking even a bead of sweet despite being the most animated on stage.
Bank’s vocals are getting stronger as time goes on and the rhythm section, augmented now by a full time keyboardist, provides a perfect backing to the often intense guitar. A particularly strong version of “Stella was a diver and she was always down” followed by an extended “PDA” brought proceedings to a close. Though they may never quite put to bed those Joy Division comparisons, Interpol are learning to bring their studio intensity to a live setting.
- Conor Considine
