The National to help get Tuesday up and rolling. Recorded at last year’s Montreux Festival in Switzerland on July 9, 2024 and recorded by RTS-Switzerland.
Founded by Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Scott Devendorf and Bryan Devendorf, the National released their self-titled debut album, The National (2001), on Brassland Records, an independent record label founded by Aaron and his twin brother, Bryce Dessner. Bryce, who had assisted in recording the album, soon joined the band, participating as a full member in the recording of its follow-up, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003).
The National has released ten studio albums, six live albums, and two extended plays since their debut in 1999. This has resulted in 21 concert tours, and several television, radio, and online performances. Since their debut, they have played festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo in the United States and Glastonbury Festival, Roskilde Festival and Primavera Sound abroad, promoting their albums and testing unreleased music.
In the bands early years, they toured as supporting acts for bands like The Walkmen and Pavement. Their debut radio performance was on France Inter’s Black Sessions with radio presenter, DJ Bernard Lenoir in 2005. After the release of their acclaimed third studio album, Alligator, the band sold out both The Troubadour in Los Angeles and Webster Hall in New York. The success of Alligator also brought on their debut at festivals, including Pitchfork Music Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, and Pukkelpop.
As the National gained popularity, they began appearing on national and internationally televised stages. In 2007, while promoting Boxer, the band performed “Apartment Story” on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. In 2010, while promoting their compilation album Dark Was the Night the band performed “Terrible Love”, the lead track from High Violet, on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. That same year, they appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing “Afraid of Everyone.” The National’s debut performance on Saturday Night Live was in 2014, performing “Graceless” and “I Need My Girl” with host Lena Dunham.
Since their debut in the late 1990s, The National has performed at venues such as Madison Square Garden, The O2 Arena, and Alexandra Palace, on national and international television broadcasts such as Jools Holland, and numerous festivals around the world. In 2024 the band played at Glastonbury on the ‘Other Stage’ and at the Lake Stage at the Montreux Jazz Festival, which you are going to listen to now.
Press play and get rolling.
