Interpol

Interpol announced that they would embark on a world tour for “Turn On The Bright Light’s” 15th anniversary (the bands seminal debut album) at the beginning of the year, and so it’s been a slow but exhilarating build up to the show tonight, at the Carroponte in Milan Italy, for me and like minded fans.

The touring band still has the essence of the band who made the album with Paul Banks (vox and rhythm guitar), Daniel Kessler(lead guitar), Sam Fogarino(drums) still present along with new members Brad Truax(bass) and Brandon Curtis(keyboards, backing vox). The album released in 2002 is a beautiful piece of work; imagine a bare canvas where every brushwork, each colour added to it, each abstract pattern created is considered and definite, like a Kandinsky painting, achieving something quite unique, where every viewing warrants attention and surprises repeatedly.

Ambling on stage, all smartly dressed in dark suits and shirts apart from Sam who is wearing a casual shirt and slacks, the bright red backdrop, intense and blinding, seeps onto the noisy and excited crowd and the band immediately start up with “Untitled” and like some alien force taking control suddenly, one is able to focus and yet relax the mind.

Thanks to the clever set up of their Fender Twin Amps, played with plenty of reverb, Paul and Daniel create the magical sonority of the tracks from TOTBL, their deep resonance and wonderful melodies combined with the virtuoso bass playing and solid but rich drum patterns making it all a delight. Add to that the incredible sounding voice of Paul Banks with those complex and transcendental lyrics that still confound and disturb and the deed is done. Many of this mixed Italian crowd know all the words with “NYC” and “Stella” particularly sung in unison with PB.

Nearly always silent otherwise,the young cool looking Banks says “Grazie” quite a few times but does let slip “This Is Fun”, an unusual outburst as its accompanied by a wry smile and I believe it is too for what could be more satisfying than playing your debut album, from top to bottom, written over 15 years ago, to an attentive, knowledgeable but passionate audience.

A good set of songs completes the show with “Slow Hands” getting everyone moving skyward. The encores with the magnificent “Specialist”, an energetic version of “The Heinrich Maneuver” and of course the tremendously engaging “Evil” end a perfect gig, maybe the best of the year for me. We very slowly leave the pleasant (if mosquito dense) Carroponte with its popular bars and food stalls, taking time to have another beer and chat on this hot summer’s night, knowing we have just witnessed something very special. It’s the greatest feeling!