Live Review

Interpol – Alexandra Palace

• 3rd Dec 2007

High above the capital on a cold November evening, something special was about to take place. New York Gloom rockers Interpol were playing their largest ever headlining gig in the UK in the spectacular and ornate surroundings of Alexandra Palace.

In a setting where lesser bands have struggled to overcome the venues questionable acoustics, Interpol blasted out hits from their ever expanding and impressive back catalogue.

Entering the stage with a massive video screen backdrop they wasted no time in jumping straight in with ‘Pioneer to the Falls’ – opening track from their latest offering ‘Our Love to Admire’

The older songs such as ‘C’mere’, ‘Narc’, ‘Say Hello to the Angels’, ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘Evil’ were amazingly received by a capacity crowd who lead singer Paul Banks had eating out the palms of his hands. But it was tracks from their current album which really impressed. Recent singles ‘Heinrich Manoeuvre’, ‘Mammoth’ and forthcoming single ‘No I in Threesome’ transcended brilliant in the live arena and will no doubt be major hits on next summer’s festival circuit. The set was wrapped up with a beautiful version of ‘Not Even Jail’, which tugged on the heart strings and was followed by rapturous applause.

The band then returned to the stage with an encore consisting of 3 tracks from debut album ‘Turn on the Bright Lights’ – ‘Untitled’ and ‘Stella was a driver and she was always down’ were then followed by an extended version of ‘PDA’

The first night of their two night Alexandra Palace residency was a huge success. With more live performances like this Interpol are finally headed for the mainstream.