Photo: Justine Trickett
Interpol wowed fans with a hit-packed Glastonbury warm-up gig at London's Electric Ballroom last night (Wednesday 25 June, 2014). See footage and their full set-list below.
The NYC post-punk heroes took to the stage at 9.30pm for their one-off London show at the intimate Camden venue. Replete with trademark suits and with frontman Paul Banks in a short-sleeved formal black shirt, the band kicked off with the classic 'Say Hello To The Angels' from their seminal debut album, Turn On The Bright Lights.
Before the audience could even pause for breath, they tore straight into the massive Antics-era singles 'Evil' and 'C'mere'. It was relentless, and awesome.
Having seen Interpol countless times over the past decade, trust us when we say that they're at the peak of their powers and on the finest form of their career. Not only do new tracks from upcoming album El Pintor ('My Desire', 'Anywhere' and 'All The Rage Back Home') mark the most promising and dynamic material that they've written in years, but the passion, musicianship and sense of energy that they bring to older tracks has come along leaps and bounds.
To overanalyse, one could say that the bass on new tracks is less prominent than before, but one hardly notices due to heightened power of Interpol's other elements. Dan Kessler's fevered performance is utterly mesmerising and has truly stepped into the lead as guitar player, Sam Fogarino can only be described as one of the best drummers on the road right now, and Banks' vocals have evolved from a nonchalant crooning drawl into a well-tuned, pitch-perfect, powerful and punchy force of nature.
What Interpol are now is a masterclass in majesty and sheer class. Their conviction is reflected by the crowd, who are one of the most consistently enraptured that the walls of the Electric Ballroom have seen in a long time. The band can tell, with Banks and Kessler beaming from ear to ear throughout the evening, with Banks more than once telling the room: "you guys fucking rock."
So do you, Interpol. So do you. Not only was this a set of 'the best of' Interpol, but Interpol at their very best. If you're going to see them at Glastonbury, then you're going to have an awesome time. May 2014 belong to them.
Interpol's new album El Pintor will be released on 8 September 2014. They perform at Glastonbury this weekend at the Other Stage on Friday at 7.15pm.
Interpol played:
Say Hello to the Angels
Evil
C'mere
My Desire
Hands Away
Not Even Jail
NYC
Anywhere
Narc
Leif Erikson
All the Rage Back Home
PDA
Slow Hands
Encore:
Lights
Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down
Obstacle 1
Watch Interpol play 'Say Hello To The Angels' below
Watch Interpol play 'NYC' below
Watch Interpol play 'Anywhere' below
Watch Interpol play 'C'Mere' below
Watch Interpol play 'My Desire' below
Below: 14 exclusive photos of Interpol's 2014 world tour
