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On Nov. 17, the coldest night of the year so far in Columbus, Ohio, Interpol stopped by Newport Music Hall to play a set at the sold-out show. The band is on tour promoting its newest album, El Pintor—Interpol’s first album since its 2010 self-titled release. Under red and blue flashing lights, the well-dressed band walked onto the stage, waved to the loud crowd and immediately began their set with “Say Hello to the Angels” from their debut album Turn on the Bright Lights. They followed with two songs from their new album El Pintor: “My Blue Supreme” and “Anywhere.” The crowd was ecstatic that the band was back in its typical Interpol groove.
Projected behind the band was the cover image from the El Pintor album—a nice touch if you’re not familiar with the imagery. As Paul Banks sang, a member of the crowd repeatedly asked him to have his babies. Paul didn’t notice. He kept playing, always with a straight face, concentrating, always in his zone. This is the familiar beat of this band. They do not talk much to the crowd. They express themselves through their music.
From “Evil” to “Hands Away” to “Rest My Chemistry,” the band played a good mixture of songs from all of their albums, except for their self-titled album, in which they played only one song: “Lights.” The crowd was in constant movement, and the band was also on pace, as the dark sounds filled the Newport Music Hall—each song getting louder than the next. Although the band didn’t have much contact with the audience, the crowd didn’t seem to mind.
Interpol ended their set with “Slow Hands,” said good night to the crowd, and headed backstage. For about five minutes, fans stuck around for an encore. Screams filled the Hall when the band came back out to play three more songs: All the Rage Back Home, Leif Erikson and Stella. The crowd was pleased, as many fans had been requesting Stella the entire show.
The band continues its tour this month, heading to Canada, Boston, Philly, New York and D.C.
Between the sold-out shows and the impressive reviews from this tour, it’s easy to see that fans are looking forward to Interpol’s next tour. It was a long four years. Welcome back.
Set list:
Say Hello to the Angels
My Blue Supreme
Anywhere
Evil
Hands Away
My Desire
C’mere
Everything Is Wrong
Lights
Breaker 1
Rest My Chemistry
PDA
Not Even Jail
Slow Hands
Encore:
All the Rage Back Home
Leif Erikson
Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down
