Pop Break Live: Interpol Spring 2022 with Tycho at The Met in Philadelphia, PA – May 13, 2022
Photos by Al Mannarino | Words by Ryan DeMarco
On Friday the 13th, 25 years and several albums later the Manhattan based Indie rock group Interpol and opener Tycho took the stage at the Metropolitan Opera House or The Met in Philadelphia for one night of extravagant mood setting music.
The arena, a vintage opera house located right on North Broad street, provides an amazing atmosphere making almost any seat in the house the best seat proved to be quite a landmark setting the stage for both of the groups to give audiences a few hours of musical euphoria.
Tycho, American composer/ songwriter (also known as Scott Hansen) began the evening warming up the crowd with a really wild array of ambient tunes which is capable of transforming even the worst of moods into the best with chill synth wave stylings. It might just be the best music to put on in the background and enjoy during business or pleasure settings. Really interesting and quietly intense stuff.
Not too long after, Paul Banks and company took the stage to the pleasure of a crowded and anticipated venue beginning the night darkening the house. Debuting their set with “Untitled,” the group made their presence known with the stage set in simple blue or red neon light and shadow inducing lamps.
The beauty of Interpol is their simple abstract nature of their lyrics, the introverted vibe, connecting unique overwhelming lyrics with atmospheric mental images in your head reminding you of something like a mysterious New York City at night.
Indie rock meets raw emotion from the genius that is Paul Banks who creates a blend of rawness and yet elegance backed up by somewhat cryptic instrumentals.
Decked all out in black suits, the band is nothing but business. Remaining cold and detached from the audience, just the way I like it. It upkeeps the image of mystery separating themselves from being compared to others in their genre such as Joy Division or Arctic Monkeys.
You find yourself in a bit of a quasi trance as they take you through the set, taking to the groove. The set included both old familiar classics: “Evil,” “PDA,” “Slow Hands,” “C’Mere, Narc” showcasing from some of their greatest albums as well as showing off some of their latest offerings “Toni” and “Something Changed,” both singles from the groups new album The Other Side of Make Believe, due out July 15th.
Setlist:
Untitled
Evil
Fables
If You Really Love Nothing
Take You On A Cruise
Pioneer of the Falls
Narc
Toni
Something Changed
Obstacle 1
All the Rage Back Home
Rest my Chemistry
Gran Hotel
Hands Away
The Rover
The New
C’mere
Encore:
Lights
PDA
Slow hands
