Kicking off the weekend with a set from The National – recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 8th of this year.
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).
Leaving behind their day jobs, the National signed with Beggars Banquet Records and released their third studio album, Alligator (2005), to widespread critical acclaim. The band’s fourth and fifth studio albums, Boxer (2007) and High Violet (2010), increased their exposure significantly. In 2013, the band released its sixth studio album, Trouble Will Find Me, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2017 the band released the album Sleep Well Beast, which won the band a Grammy Award. Their eighth studio album, I Am Easy to Find, was released in 2019. Their ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, was released on April 28, 2023 and featured appearances from Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift, and Phoebe Bridgers. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in the AAA & Rock categories. The band released a surprise album, Laugh Track, on September 18, 2023. It was mostly written and recorded alongside their earlier 2023 album.
Five of the band’s albums were nominated by music writer Laura Snapes for inclusion on NME’s 2013 list of the NME’s The 500 Greatest Albums of all time.
In the bands early years, they toured as supporting acts for bands like The Walkmen and Pavement. Their debut radio performance was on Radio France International’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 renowned 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. So far in 2024 the band has played at Glastonbury on the ‘Other Stage’ and at the Lake Stage at the Montreux Jazz Festival. And it’s the Montreux gig you get to hear now.
So grab a seat.
