Spoon/ Interpol

Words & Photos: Kenneth Coles

Spoon is one of those bands you don’t recognize until they start playing and then you realize you know all of their songs. I guess that can happen when you’ve been around as long as they have and created so many amazing songs along the way. 

On tour and coheadling with Interpol, these guys haven’t missed a beat or lost their joy for performing. On top of being great musicians they are excellent story tellers. Regailing the crowd with a humorous story from their recent border crossing from Canada. 

We didn’t know you couldn’t bring avocados into the country. Border patrol wanted us to pay $500 for 4 avocados. The agent kept looking at us and asking repeatedly if we had any drugs. Funnily enough, we didn’t at this particular moment. This next song is dedicated to that border patrol agent for making us feel like shit even when we did nothing wrong.” - Keyboardist Alex Fischel told the crowd.

The band then proceeded to play “The way we get by” which is all about doing drugs. 

It’s interesting seeing Spoon and Interpol tour together. They have very different vibes on stage. Where Spoon is energetic and kinetic, Interpol is serious in both their music and stage presence. They don’t shy away from their spots and have a very specific ascetic they are presenting. Dressed all in black with only backlighting and very little emphasis on their faces, it’s as if they are saying that they are only there to play music and nothing else matters. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing at all, their music is loved by millions and their style has been emulated by bands since. 

These stark differences make for a very unique concert experience.