Report: Interpol Live in Rochester

Having weathered the departure of founding member Carlos Dengler and added new players Pajo and Curtis, the lads make a triumphant return to the stage for their first performance in "forever" on June 21 at Rochester's Water Street Music Hall.

Text & Photos by April S. Engram

A most sought after event occurred in lil' ol' Rochester, NY mid-June; the ever popular, oft-criticized-of-mimicry-by-naysayers, yet highly-laudable- in-their-own- right, Interpol played their first show in four years. The New York band has yet to release their eponymous fourth album - due in September - but the anticipation for the record is generating quite a stir. And while Interpol fans anxiously wait its arrival those in Rochester were treated to a revival show of sorts, reminding us why Interpol is so damn good.

With founding bassist Carlos Dengler departing after recording Interpol, a moment of sorrow loomed in the air. Yet talented music veterans David Pajo (Slint, Tortoise, Zwan), bass, and Brandon Curtis (Secret Machines), keyboards, join the lads on tour and they sounded flawless on that stage: all is right again.

The band wasted no time once onstage; Paul Banks waved to the audience and they all leapt into a new song as the crowd began jumping to the rhythms - then everyone roared once Pajo began the bass lines to "Evil" and gleefully sang with Banks.

And though Banks did note that this was the bands first performance "in forever," they sounded flawlessly well-practiced. Guitarist Daniel Kessler was entertaining as ever, the only highly animated member of the band, with his dancing, smiles and sheer exhilaration proving infectious. And as drummer Sam Fogarino pounded away on his set the audience danced, jumped and threw their hands in the air the entire night. Nothing could dampen the amorous mood on the fans this night, the rabid audience loving every minute of the performance.

Even when Banks took an extra moment to adjust his guitar someone shouted, "I love you, Interpol," he quietly returned, "I love you, too" to which the audience clapped even louder. The extra dose of "love" in the room did not go unnoticed by Banks. About halfway into their set Banks thanked the audience for their "warm welcome" before continuing.

With very little talking between songs, the evening did end sooner than hoped and the audience was not ready for the music to end. They fiercely cheered, clapped and roared loudly until Interpol returned for their three song encore. At the conclusion Banks put down his guitar once again, waved and blew a kiss to the crowd, then all members of the band lined up at the front of the stage and took a traditional bow. After a night of sweaty dancing, exceptional music and ecstatic singing, the fans rewarded Interpol with yet more vocal "love."

Setlist:

Success
Evil
Say Hello to the Angels
Summer Well
Narc
Lights
NYC
Mammoth
PDA
Take You on a Cruise
Slow Hands
Obstacle 1
(Encore)
Hands Away
C'mere
Not Even Jail