BY CHERYL CHENG
PHOTO BY STEREOGUM
It has been nearly three years since Interpol’s Antics was released and judging by the crowd gathered to see them at Coachella, New York’s foursome has been missed.
Though their set was smack dab between the reunion of Jesus and Mary Chain (featuring the much-rumored guest appearance of Scarlett Johansson) and the always mesmerizing Bjork, Interpol hardly had to worry about holding their own that night.
The group opened with “Pioneer to the Falls,” a track from upcoming Our Love to Admire that has already been leaked on the Internet, thanks to amateur recordings of their Canadian performance. “Pioneer” offered a more atmospheric sound, with Paul Banks’ lyrical delivery directly reminiscent of Ian Curtis. It was a quiet introduction to the unveiling of the returned Interpol.
But the fans didn’t need to worry about a mellow performance. Once the opening notes of “Obstacle 1” were heard, the crowd responded with eager cheers. Interpol kept to most of the upbeat tracks and singles—“Narc,” “Slow Hands,” “Evil”—but also gave everyone a taste of what’s to come. “Mammoth” kept it moody, while upbeat “The Heinrich Maneuver” boasted an immediate hook and memorable chorus.
Banks, Carlos D (sporting a new look with a small mustache and curly hair), Daniel, and Sam kept the dialogue to a bare minimum, focusing on the music, which sounded tight and well-rehearsed. Although Interpol has never been the most dynamic band live, their music managed to reach the thousands on the field.
More festivals are scheduled for Interpol before their expected U.S. tour in support of Admire. And it’s clear that fans can hardly wait.
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