The National coming to Helsinki

Today’s good news: The National, one of my favorite bands, are coming to Helsinki next March (3.3.) for their first “proper” Finnish gig – they’ve been here twice before at rock festivals (Ruisrock and Ankkarock). Missed them at Ruisrock, but they were awesome at Ankkarock.

I do love these guys, there’s just something about their music and Matt Berninger’s stage presence that captivates me. Matt’s songwriting has a Bohemian flair and the intricate lyrics are meant to encapsulate snapshots of a vanishing moment or feeling rather than being literal things (“I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees”, for instance). You won’t find songs of teenage angst and rebellion here, this is about middle-aged life in a complicated world, trying to keep your head together and dealing with relationships (failed ones, most often), alcohol, divorce, alienation, loss, and friends who are close to losing it. It’s not all dark; there is wry humor here, and often an air of hope. Oh, and they also rock.

I think this place is full of spies
I think they’re onto me
Didn’t anybody, didn’t anybody tell you
Didn’t anybody tell you how to gracefully disappear in a room
I know you put in the hours to keep me in sunglasses, I know

And so and now I’m sorry I missed you
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain
It went the dull and wicked ordinary way

Tickets go on sale next Monday.

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