Years ago, I always thought seeing The National – one of my favorite live acts – perform in Manila was close to impossible, and merely listening to friends’ stories of their The National in Singapore 2011 experience and livestreaming the band’s festival appearances to witness their performances already made up for that. So when news broke that they were one of the acts appearing in FebFest’s Hostess Club Manila, the words “finally! I’m going to have my Terrible Love and This is the Last Time moments” raced through my head in sheer delight. My impossible dream was going to be a concert reality.
After hearing raves from the first leg of FebFest Hostess Club Manila that featured Mogwai, Warpaint, and Eyedress last February 13, 2014, I gathered up my giddiness for their second leg last February 20, 2014 at the Metrotent Convention Center, where The National, Buke and Gase, and Youth Lagoon were slated to take centerstage.
Brooklyn-based duo Arone Dyer and Aron Sanchez of Buke and Gase started the night with their set. First –time listeners to their music (like yours truly) found it easy to be enamored with Dyer’s mesmerizing vocals, their songs’ offbeat melodies, and their distinct sound from their hand-crafted instruments – the toe-bourine; the buke, a six-string baritone ukulele; and the gase, a guitar-bass fusion. Hypnotic from start to finish, I was converted into a fan by the end of their set.
After a short break, the crowd was then transported to planet psychadelia thanks to Youth Lagoon’s string of dream pop-infused songs and trippy tunes, which were decorated with sound effects and synthesizer sweetness. Adding to the energy of the set was Trevor Powers who, between his hairflips and headbanging, would step out of his station for the night, take the mic, and stand onstage to sing before the crowd. Youth Lagoon delivered some of his signature hits Mute, July, and Dropla, before closing his set with Raspberry Cane.
We were able to get a glimpse of The National’s drummer Bryan Devendorf as he stepped onstage for a few minutes to soundcheck his drumset while the stage was being prepped for the set. Once all the equipment had been sorted and Bryan went backstage, we were left with our emotions running high and excitement on overdrive. It didn’t take long for Bryan, vocalist Matt Berninger, guitarists Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and bassist Logan Coale (who was standing in for Scott Devendorf) to command the stage and start off with songs from their recently-released “Trouble Will Find Me” record – Don’t Swallow the Cap and I Should Live in Salt.
Surreality kicked in for me as The National delivered gems from their entire discography throughout the night, wrapping us all up in their stellar instrumentation, emotional lyricism, and Matt’s smooth baritone vocals. They drew cheers from the crowd just by playing the first few notes in Anyone’s Ghost and Mistaken for Strangers, had us singing the verses and choruses out loud during favorites like Bloodbuzz Ohio, Apartment Story, Conversation 16, and Slow Show, made us shout with Matt during Abel, Squalor Victoria, and Graceless, and tapped into our trove of emotions during I Need My Girl, This is the Last Time, and Pink Rabbits.
Between songs, the band would take sips of wine or address the crowd before moving on with the set. Matt’s playful (drunken) banter included a short goodbye to his first mic stand after it was replaced by another one and a side comment about the effects on Bryce’s pedal boards. The most memorable statements that night were from Matt and Aaron, who said it was a pleasure to be finally playing in Manila. On both accounts, we responded with decibel-breaking screams of agreement.
A few quick band introductions were done before The National closed their first set with Fake Empire. After the band walked offstage, we rose up in deafening shouts and loud applause to call them back for their encore set. Exhausting what was left of my vocal prowess, I joined in with my high-pitched plea, “I need my Terrible Love!”
The National returned shortly and started their encore set with Mr. November, getting us on our feet to dance, jump, and huddle towards Matt as he made his way to the front of the barricade. There were some lucky ones who got to hug him, ruffle his hair, and even touch his golden beard – much to the singer’s delight and amusement. Once Matt finished the song onstage, the band followed it with Terrible Love. The joy of hearing the communal singing of the “it’s a terrible love and I’m walking with spiders,” “it takes an ocean not to break” lines was enough to make my heart burst out of happiness that night.
Shortly after midnight, The National turned the crowd at the Metrotent Convention Center into a choir of angels for Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks, the last song in their 20-song set. Complete with fist pumping, arm waving, and joyous singing, it definitely was the fitting end to a glorious set from an amazingly talented band and the pitch-perfect finish to an unforgettable night of pure magic and music.
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FebFest Hostess Club Manila was brought to us by Random Minds Productions and YNOS.
