This morning the National announced the first tour dates in support of their Boxer followup. The collection’s still untitled but has been scheduled for release in May via 4AD (exact date TBA). If you recall, when we were talking about anticipated 2010 albums, we asked the band about the new one and Matt Berninger told us:
We started out trying to make a fun pop record. I had the word HAPPINESS taped to my wall. We veered off that course immediately. We’ve narrowed it down to about 15 songs now and it’s going to be our best record (one song you can dance to) but it can’t be described as happy.
Well, want something that can be described as “happy”? One of the band’s shows involves Pavement. Check your calendar.
The dates:
04/22-23 – Richmond, VA @ The National Theater
05/06 – London, England @ Royal Albert Hall
05/07 – Paris, France @ Le Zenith #
05/09 – Berlin, Germany @ Astra
05/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
05/23 – San Diego, CA @ Spreckels Theater
05/27 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
06/02 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
06/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
06/06 – Washington DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
06/08 – Toronto, Ont. @ Massey Hall
06/16 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
# w/ Pavement
Keep watch for more info about the new album at 4AD.
[ Photo by Zoran Orlic]
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This album is the best album of the year even though I haven’t heard it but since its Stereogum and I’m a generic hipster comment I can say baseless things and get away with it.
Your hilarious comment might actually work if you didn’t post it about one of the hardest working, talented and non-hipsterish bands out there.
Nice try though, ball bag.
the only thing more annoying then a hipster, is a hipster hater.
Baseless as in based on opinion? Because thats what AOTY is.
Your ironic generalization about the generic hipster notwithstanding, if liking the National and being excited about this album makes me a hipster, I’m happy to be one; these guys are talented as hell.
Can we reset the world such that enthusiasm for music from a band you like–be it the National, Jay-Z, Animal Collective, Carrie Underwood, or what have you–is accepted and in fact is a good thing? Do I have to go dig up Jughead to do this? Can’t we just be happy for each other, happy that we all have stuff that we like? Seriously, ONE LOVE, guys.
these dates are perfect! theyre already on tour with pavement and theyre not playing for a few days after oakland. SASQUATCH!!!
I was so happy to see an email from them in my inbox this morning. I can’t wait for their new album.
And serious lulz at anyone who thinks The National is just a “hipster band.” If you don’t like them, fine, but hating on a band just because they’re popular on the blog scene or because Pitchfork likes them or whatever is rather passé at this point (not to mention pretty stupid in the first place).
the national is indeed one of the hardest working bands out there and the dessner brothers are some of the most selfless people you will ever meet. this is not a band to hate on.
Is there any other city that has a weaker music scene than Chicago. No one goes there. Feel bad for music lovers that have to live there.
It could be worse though, i live in Idaho
False.
I think we went over this before, but unless you live in Alaska you really have no place to complain about your music scene. You guys can at least drive a few hours to a concert.
Hmm.. that’s kind of annoying. I figured that they would at least play in Cincinnati since they are all natives.
Come see ‘em in Knoxville March 28th at Big Ears Festival. Yeah, Stereogum forgot to mention their first show. http://www.ticketfly.com/tickets/event-details/?tfly_event_id=4743
It’s a Sunday night though
your comment says
but your avatar says 
so confused.
i hope Matt Berninger is right when he calls it their best record, because if this is better than Boxer this album will dominate my itunes for a long while. maybe “happy” is more along the lines of So Far Around The Bend. that song is definitely more catchy/poppy than their other stuff.
anyone else noticed that the national(the band) is playing at the national (the venue)?
Come on down to Richmond and enjoy The National at The National. We’ve got a fun town and you’ll have a great time.
yo man, i heard you like the national so we booked the national at the national so you can indie rock in de rock concert
If they are touring for support of a new album they will add more dates. They might be waiting to find out what their exact release date will be.
So excited for this. Saw them live last summer. If it’s half as awesome as Boxer…and if it has Runaway (or Karamazov…whatever they’re calling it), even better.
The National is one of our greatest inspirations as a band! However, nothing they do will ever top their first stuff!
If you like the national you should check us out! http://www.theculpritsband.com
Shit sandwich.
Oh wow, a misogynist asshole on teh intarwebz? NO WAI!!!1!