Every live release by the National comes with some self-sabotage. The band took so long to hit their peak that they're in their 'play-the-hits' late period.
Their underdog status became integral to their identity, particularly during their infamous Alligator tour where they played to half-empty rooms, contributing to their mystique.
In the 2010s, the National's popularity grew as listeners developed an increased appetite for depression and dissociation in music; the tension within their live performances really releases.
The five-piece, accompanied by horns and auxiliary instruments, amps up every song so that there's always a climax around the corner; Berninger's live performance showcases raw emotion.
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