What was it like playing Radio City Music Hall, opening for the Arcade Fire?
Berninger: I found that surprisingly easy. Somehow, that room made me feel comfortable. The pressure was really off us, since those were the Arcade Fire’s shows. We knew we were playing to a bunch of people who probably hadn’t heard of us before. So in a way, it was all upside. We had the potential to reach new fans. So when we started the sets, people were finding their seats, but by the time we finished, it was usually pretty packed. It felt like we had knocked on some doors. Did they give you any advice about transitioning into bigger venues? Berninger: They do a different kind of show than we do. Even before they exploded, they put on this huge, incredibly theatrical show. They’re one of the few bands who can make those bigger rooms feel exciting and intimate. Ours is a little bit different. Perhaps because for five years we’ve been playing tiny little clubs. John Darnielle from the Mountain Goats used to say that all his songs were short stories about made-up people. The National’
