The National - Sydney Opera House, 8 February 2014

This is a bit old, but for anyone that wants it, here's the National at the Opera House. It was live streamed as part of the Music at the House series (Wilco's second Sydney show was also streamed, and both shows released to those that attended).

In my experience these guys are a bit hit and miss in their ability to recreate their songs in the live setting. Mr November, in particular, doesn't seem to really work. Nonetheless, the majority of their set works, and they've developed a good back catalogue to draw on.

Unfortunately, it seems like there were a couple of glitchs in the stream, so the sound isn't perfect. A couple of times it drops out very briefly, not often, but annoying when it happens.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!tVcFSTTY!XoxuQfhApC6ZyTtO-w7wow

The National - 20 June 2007, Washington DC

The National, are playing Splendour and said they'll be back in November and in 2014 to headline an (unnamed) festival. Given that, Australians are going to be hearing a lot of these guys, so its a good idea of find out what you're in for.

This show is from way back in 2007 when they were touring Boxer. It's a really nice show focussing on material from their last two albums (I really like their debut, but they don't seem to play anything off it anymore). Obviously their more recent shows will feature less of this material but this is a good start until I put up some more recent stuff. My only worry is that, outside of the studio, Matt Berninger seems to struggle to nail the more agressive songs (listen to Squalor Victoria or Mr November to get an idea of what I mean). I read somewhere that he's just stopped smoking and it's had a beneficial effect on his voice, so maybe this has improved.

Start a War
Mistaken for Strangers
Slow Show
Secret Meeting
Brainy
Baby, We'll Be Fine
Lit Up
Racing Like a Pro
Squalor Victoria
Apartment Story
Daughters of the Soho Riot
Ada
Fake Empire
Mr November

Green Gloves
Abel
About Today
http://www.mediafire.com/?0c23rzf1c2tc3