Live Review: The National with The Beths at Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park in Atlanta, 8/16/23

In the years since their self-titled debut in 2001, The National have evolved into one of America’s most interesting and successful indie rock bands. On their ninth and latest release First Two Pages of Frankenstein (4AD), the quintet enlisted some top-notch talent including Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift. This move has brought in a slew of younger fans who can now name a song or two by the band, and maybe even sing along. The new album is just another in a series of critically acclaimed releases by the Cincinnati band.

Song one was track one from Frankenstein, “Once Upon a Poolside,” the Sufjan Stevens joint effort. It’s a low-key, beauty. On “Eucalyptus,” Berninger takes an emotional turn, singing, “You should take it, cause I’m not gonna take it,” as he motioned to fans as if handing off the burden. He even name-drops the Afghan Whigs‘ and the Cowboy Junkies’ albums, as a couple discusses who gets what in an apparent break up. The set was laced with a half-dozen new songs dating back to the 2004 EP Cherry Tree. The band’s makeup is special: twins Aaron (guitar, keys, backing vocals) and Bryce (guitars, backing vocals) Dessner, along with brothers Bryan (drums) and Scott (bass) Devendorf bring the family vibe to the group. Only Matt Berninger exists (painfully) with no relatives with which to collaborate.

Putting aside the family aspect, the greater point is that these are some world-class musicians. You may think you know the National, but if you’ve yet to experience their live show, you don’t know the National. You may be surprised and just how rocking they are. It’s surprising that these guys don’t need a day of rest after every show, not to mention a vocal cord break. The intensity and passion with which they perform is consistently an 11.

When they brought up the fact they were from Ohio, fans knew that “Bloodbuzz Ohio” was on the way. From the acclaimed 2010 release High Violet, the song is a driving and heart thumping tune, remaining one of their signature songs. “I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees / I never married but Ohio don’t remember me,” Berninger sings. But the real star of this one may be Bryan Devendorf, underscoring drumming as the prevalent component of the song’s structure. It just rocks. What can only be a reference to interest paid on loans, Berninger sings, “I still owe money to the money to the money I owe…” We all feel the pain.

Berninger did acknowledge the band’s sadness as this was the final night touring with The Beths. He told fans, “We love The Beths and will miss touring with them.” As an opener, the Auckland, New Zealand foursome is rock-solid. However, headlining slots may be on the rise for the band as more fans are discovering them with each show. Their quick 30-minute, seven-song set was just not enough. Elizabeth Stokes and the band have made quite a dent in the music scene since their 2016 debut EP Warm Blood. Two years later, the full-length Future Me Hates Me was dropped to critical and commercial success. The title track is now the band’s lead-off song when playing live. It’s an exuberant choice to kick off a show.

Jonathan Pearce plays a wicked guitar and provides even wickeder backing vocals which approach perfection along with those of Stokes. Not to diminish the importance of the rhythm section of Benjamin Sinclair (bass) and Tristan Deck (drums), who both contribute beautiful harmonies, as well. Incidentally, Sinclair pens a daily blog describing what the band eats for breakfast each morning of their tour. He also goes in-depth on geographic and historic details of their current location. It’s informative, interesting, and entertaining. Check it out at Breakfast and Travel Updates.

The wonderful “Watching the Credits” is the newest edition to the band’s repertoire, and included on the deluxe edition of 2022’s Expert In A Dying Field (Carpark Records) due out 9/15/23. In it, Stokes sings, “And I spend all night cutting up edits / Watching the credits to find / Direction in my existence.” Although the set was short, the exposure on this night (especially touring with The National) was priceless. These New Zealanders are a terrific live band. Catch them soon.

For tour information, visit the bands’ sites at The National and The Beths.