Music, Style & Culture

Reading 2011: The National, Main Stage

A band that have that little bit extra compared to their peers.

The National; one could make a fairly reasonable case that, out of all the band's playing this weekend's festivities, this is the set to get really excited about. The sun is out, setting in the distance, and yet most of Reading's masses are somewhere else entirely. Are they mad?

Quite frankly, yes. They have to be. As Matt Berninger's unique tones ring out, The National are a thing of beauty. 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and 'Anyone's Ghost' both sound like classics from a band that have that little bit extra compared to their peers, and yet still it nags away. Where is everyone?



As it turns out, they're at the other side of the festival, watching Bombay Bicycle Club. What they miss, they may never realise. Don't pity them - The National remain something special. Their loss.

Photo: Brian Rasic/Rex Features