Live Review: The National at Donnybrook Stadium

As Taylor Swift took to Croke Park for a second time and Chic and Nile Rogers brought some funk to Malahide Castle, The National graced the stage at the Energia Stadium in Donnybrook for round two of showcasing their unique brand of alternative rock.

Joined by the stunning Lisa Hannigan – who opened for the band the previous day – The National began their set with the hauntingly beautiful ‘Nobody Else Will Be There’.

Immediately, frontman Matt Berninger steps into his signature vocal style, which is modest yet moving and is made all the more impressive when paired with Hannigan’s endearing voice.

The Ohio 5-piece must be commended for their ability to consistently sound so tight – no doubt a consequence of years of extensive touring and ability to adapt to festival headliners (Longitude), smaller venues (Vicar St) and set-piece outdoor venues. Considering the band is comprised of two sets of brothers, along with Berninger, the fluidity of the band’s live performance only increases throughout the night.

“I used to play a lot of rugby when I was a kid”, Berringer announces to some collective cheers from the rugby arena, before quickly adding “that’s why I’m so ugly” with subsequent laughter from the crowd.

Simplicity is at the core what The National does both in terms of their stage set up and presence. While the pace of the set is unhurried, The National lash into a string of songs – including ‘Don’t Swallow The Cap’, ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ and ‘Day I Die’ – which gets the crowd bouncing. Drummer Bryan Devendorf has mastered a subtlety to his drumming, most notable on the bands slower tunes of the evening like ‘Dark Side Of The Gym’ and ‘Pink Rabbits’. But he also isn’t afraid to mercilessly pound on his kit during the likes of ‘Sorrow’ and ‘Empire Line’.

Hannigan returns to the stage for ‘I Need My Girl’ and ‘Green Glove’ to lend her vocal talent to these breath-taking ballads. Beringer boasts a calm and collected demeaner, often addressing the crowd with thanks in his deep Cincinnati accent. Aaron Dessner’s work on the keys shines throughout the night with songs like ‘Fake Empire’ showcasing his captivating riffs – not to mention the additional brass section, which give The National that big band sound that fills out the stadium.

Returning for their encore, the band slip comfortably in the pure rock and roll track that is ‘Mr. November’ with the crowd belting out “I Won’t Fuck Us Over” again and again at the song’s climax. Gently ending the night on a much more sombre yet captivating note with ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’, The National fill the evening air with stunning harmonies and melancholic strings as their emotional fanbase looks on in awe one last time.