The National - Rome

A transcendent live document of a band at the height of their powers.

For decades, the standard refrain from the faithful has been: "You have to see them live." On Rome, that transformation is finally captured in its most definitive form. Recorded in June 2024 at the architecturally stunning Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, this album captures The National during one of the most prolific and creatively revitalized periods of their career. Far from a simple concert souvenir, Rome is a vital, breathing addition to their catalog that showcases how their meticulously crafted studio recordings bloom into something raw, unpredictable, and deeply communal in a live setting.

The setlist spans the band’s peerless discography, finding the perfect balance between the brooding intimacy of their recent work and the high-energy anthems that have made them festival headliners. Matt Berninger’s vocals move from a baritone whisper to a desperate roar, backed by the Dessner brothers’ intricate guitar interplay and the Devendorf rhythm section's legendary precision. Whether it’s the expanded, chaotic finales of fan favorites or the hushed, haunting beauty of their newer material, Rome captures the lightning-in-a-bottle energy that has made The National one of the most essential live acts of the 21st century.