Interpol

Interpol

21 July, 2008
by: Marcus

Quite when Interpol reached the Alexandra Palace level is unclear. We were here just days ago to catch the Arcade Fire, while Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party are each afforded a brace of nights in the next month. But these are all bands who have earned certified stratospheric status, with the rock press and fans hanging on their every strum.

The New Yorkers, meanwhile, have always contended with the comparisons to Joy Division, being in the shadow of fellow Big Apple-ites The Strokes, and a general mistrust from areas of the music press. Consider that their third album (these shows are part of its promotional tour) has met with a distinctly lukewarm reaction, and the sold out status of these shows seems all the more remarkable.

Witness the frenzied reaction to the likes of 'Slow Hands' and 'Evil' though, and it is clear how the foursome capture their fans imagination. Sure, a sizeable proportion of the crowd are here purely for the hits, but isn't it the same at every gig? Those who stare blankly through the sparser tracks miss the point of Interpol. Yes, they can rock out when they need to, but they also do a nice line in brooding post-punk, with a first London performance of ‘Lighthouse’ proving a highlight of the evening.

Banter from the stage is fleeting; Paul Banks reels off the odd Elvis-esque 'Thank you very much', but overall the atmosphere is as icy as the hilltop wind outside, and as jagged as the razor-sharp guitars that resonate around the sumptuous surroundings of the Palace. A trio of old favourites round things off, with 'Untitled', 'Stella...' and a rip-roaring 'PDA' showing off their ability to get a crowd moving.

For some, it comes too late in the evening, but no fans of the band will leave tonight feeling short-changed.

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Marcus