Annuals

The National, Annuals at London Astoria, Tue 22 May

Review by Alex Denney

We like The National at DiS. When we’re not busy giving ourselves toothache with the latest Battles or Deerhoof records, The National offer solace with albums of understated depth that have ‘quality’ written through them like a particularly bitter-tasting stick of rock. An old-fashioned pleasure, if you will...»

Astoria

Capacity: 2,000

Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

Ah, the Astoria - home of all those mid-level bands who will play venues a third of the size everywhere else in the country. Anyone who's anyone has played here.

You get free roam of the venue's three levels. There are enough bars to get served quickly enough at and you can escape the music at the middle bar if it all gets a bit too much for your poor little ears. There is a 'VIP' round the sides of the stage on the second level.

Acoustics can be dodgy depending on where you stand.

- Adie Nunn

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Annuals

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The National

The National are five displaced Ohioans living in New York: Scott and Bryan Devendorf (guitar & drums); Aaron and Bryce Dessner (guitar & bass); and Matt Berninger (vocals) - two sets of brothers and one best friend.

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