RiffDraft

Interpol – July 21 at The Norva in Norfolk, VA

Leading up to the show I was a bit bummed I hadn’t caught Interpol on a previous tour because “Our Love To Admire” had only been released a couple of weeks beforehand and I wasn’t bowled over. It’s not a bad album, but it hadn’t grabbed me like “Turn On The Bright Lights” and “Antics” and I was expecting a set light on the old stuff. Wrong. They went deep into the old stuff and the new stuff sounded tight.

I was also impressed with the earnest devotion of the fans. The place was sold out and heaving. The whole crowd checked their shoe-gazing sensibilites at the door and let go as if the Slippery When Wet Tour had pulled in for two nights at the Garden. I’m talking over-the-head clapping and scream-a-longs that would’ve filled stadiums. The band appreciated, acknowledged, and reciprocated the energy.

It’s nights like these (and the venue’s creature comforts) that have made the Norva and its audiences popular with more and more touring artists. Like many, I mourned the loss of The Boathouse, but split eardrums and a boot in the back of the head have nothing on great acoustics and a short walk to the bars.

Least Favorite Live Performance of 2007

The Shins – January 13 on Saturday Night Live

They’re one of my favorite bands, but they played like they were punishing someone for booking them on the show.