El Pintor – Berlin 04.02.2015
Interpol. How does an avid Interpol fan write a review without sounding biased? It is not possible.
However, the least I can do is to share my experience of watching them with you.
You are reading from someone who has only Interpol posters in her bedroom, and who had flown over continents to catch them live.
The anticipation kept this little fan girl awake at night because she couldn’t handle the excitement. To hear all those songs that has defined music for her, to see Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler and Sam Fogarino in person once again. The beautiful memory of having drowned in their performance is something that cannot be etched, no matter how many brain injuries I have gone through.
This time, it was in Berlin, at Columbiahalle, a magical city and a white evening where the streets glistened with snow.
The wait was long, as expected, but when the opening band Health from California came on, I seriously thought I had entered the wrong concert hall. The loud decibels, head banging and heavy distortion were not something that I am averse to, but that certainly caught me offguard at an Interpol concert.
After listening in to a few songs, I had an idea of why the band chose them. Health had some postpunk melodies and effects in their sound, but amplified them with scremo, distortion and meddled with loads of overdrive. I would say this is the future of metal really, although I think Deftones did that way before.
A bad habit of mine, and probably of many, is to check out the set list before the concert. I was thrilled to know there was still some element of suspence, as Interpol has been varying some parts of their set list at every one of the Europe tour.
The thrill was transformed to bewilderment and elation, because the setlist did not fail me. This El Pintor tour for me, painted the best atmosphere and soundscape that I would have never imagined being in. Just imagine – Leif Erikson, Take You on a Cruise and Pioneer to the Falls. These are epic tracks that you can sink yourself into wholly. The other one that is totally befitting of being performed live is The Lighthouse. Listening to that on CD cannot be compared to hearing it live. Paul’s baritone and the gloomy backdrop of a storm, with Daniel’s riffs, will sail you slowly away into a realm you can never experience on the headphones.
The band did a fair bit of their tracks from the latest album, which I am not a huge fan of, but their decision to perform My Desire was a good one, since that was the best track for me. Surprisingly, the crowd seemed to be more enthusiastic about the new songs. This says a lot about the way the latest album has been marketed.
Interpol kept old timers like myself happy with PDA and Untitled. I have no strong feelings for The New, but I appreciate that they tried to revive it. However, Paul seemed rather out of touch with this one. The tempo was a little amiss, but the diehard fan in me will never blame them, will I?
The other song that sent me to the clouds was Not Even Jail. This is one song that will sound impeccable on a good set of headphones or live, but of course the latter wins.
Interpol ended their encore with Slow Hands, and the crowd went a little wild, and tried to mosh. Well, just a few lads, but it was amusing because this was an Interpol concert. No surprises seeing some really annoyed glances from girls.
I was rejuvenated with my experience of watching them again. Yes, the boys are getting on in years, and maybe even in skill, but it was an essential dosage for zealot like myself.
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