Interpol Turns On The Bright Lights In Nashville

Interpol emerged in the late 1990s in New York City and are one of the main contributors to the post-punk revival along with other bands such as The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, and The Libertines. The band founded by Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler, Sam Fogarino, and Carlos Dengler took over the scene in 2002 when they released their full-length debut, Turn On The Bright Lights. The album was well received all over the world and instantly became an indie classic. Interpol managed to differentiate themselves from their contemporaries thanks to its bass-driven hooks, Kessler’s guitar riffs and Banks’ gloomy lyrics and somewhat monotonous yet powerful melodies that only he can pull off.

While the band is on tour promoting their latest release, Marauder, they stopped in Nashville for a show at Marathon Music Works. The supporting act for this tour is Sunflower Bean, their New York post-punk successor. It was surprising to see that Interpol did not sell out a 1,500-capacity venue in “Music City” while they are selling out bigger venues around the globe. Perhaps, the fact that the show was on a Monday had something to do with it or maybe that is just not Nashville’s scene. Nevertheless, Interpol proceeded to play a great show that blew everyone away.

After a very energetic show from Sunflower Bean, Banks and company took over the stage. As usual, the band was sharply dressed, and Banks sported shades. Perhaps, to protect his eyes from the bright lights. The band did a great job by subtlety sliding songs from Marauder in between the fans’ favorites. Throughout the set, Kessler kept shuffling his feet and hoping from upstage to downstage without missing a note on his Epiphone Casino which has been with him since the band’s early days. Banks, somewhat more static than Kessler delivered the melodies which were all replied by the fans. All while Fogarino guided the band through his heavy drumming. The stage production consisted of elaborate light beams and disco balls that flashed synchronously to the music.

17 years after their debut release, Interpol is remembered with a post 9/11 NYC nostalgia, and while many of their post-punk contemporaries have vanished, they still remain.

Coverage by Jorge Sierra

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