Interpol delivers a sophisticated, atmospheric, and special show in São Paulo

Interpol performed a solo show in São Paulo after two previous festival appearances in recent years.

The band brought to Brazil the tour that celebrates two decades since the release of their first albums: Turn On The Bright Lights (2002) and Antics (2004).

With tickets sold out for this first date in São Paulo (which will host an extra show on Saturday the 8th), the audience can experience something rare: a setlist that covers almost entirely two albums.

I had already seen Interpol at Lollapalooza 2019, a delightful show, but in broad daylight and with the audience packed with fans of the band that would play next. So, seeing a solo performance by the New York trio, in the dark, with an incredible light show, was a very different experience.

Act I: Turn On The Bright Lights

The opening track, “Specialist,” a B-side from Turn On The Bright Lights , made it clear that this was a show made especially for Interpol fans, for those who are truly interested in exploring the band's discography.

Following with “Say Hello To The Angels”, the upbeat chorus energized the audience, who sang along to every verse of “Obstacle 1”, while an intense red, like that of the album cover, flooded the Audio dance floor. Blue lights accompanied the melancholy of “NYC”, which carries in one of its verses, “ It's up to me now turn on the bright lights” , the album title.

Lead singer Paul Banks made a brief interaction, something characteristic of the band, and explained that the show would be completely divided between the two albums, and then played the first chords of "Roland," which excited the audience again.

The few verses of "Hands Away" further highlighted the band's instrumental quality. Then came "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down," clearly sung with great affection by the audience.

The blue lights returned for “Leif Erikson,” which is being alternated with “The New” ( played at the Rio de Janeiro show ) during the tour performances. “PDA” closed the first part of the show after about 45 minutes.

ACT II: Antics

After a short break, Interpol returned to the stage for the Antics , which, unlike the first album, was played in its entirety and exactly in the correct track order.

The crowd's chorus began from the first verse of "Next Exit" and grew even louder and more enthusiastic during "Evil." The energy of the second half of the show remained high during "Narc," "Take You on a Cruise," and "Slow Hands."

“Not Even Jail” preceded “Public Pervert,” which, despite being calmer, still had an immersive audience ready for the electrifying “C'mere.” The set ended with “Length of Love” and “A Time to Be So Small,” completing the entire Antics .

Therefore, the encore could only be a song from Turn On The Bright Lights, and the chosen one to close the night was "Untitled," the first track from the band's first album, ending at the beginning of it all.

Interpol delivered a show built on the quality of the band's repertoire, impeccable and atmospheric stage lighting, and of course, the appreciation of the fans, who gave meaning to the experience of celebrating the band's first two albums almost in their entirety.