The National have announced a huge open-air show for next summer at Crystal Palace Park, taking place on Friday 5 July 2024. The much-loved five-piece will also be joined by special guests Unknown Mortal Orchestra as well as Kevin Morby and This Is The Kit. Tickets go on general sale for the event at 10:00AM (GMT) on Friday 17 November 2023 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
The National said: “We’re excited to be returning to London next summer, a city we’ve always loved. Crystal Palace is a new neighbourhood to us, although not to the football fans in the band.”
The National create nuanced, alternative rock of the highest order spanning across ten deft studio albums. Known for their inimitable live performances the band recently played two sold out shows at Alexandra Palace in London to their ever-expanding, loyal fanbase, resulting in “An era-defining band at the peak of their powers” (The Guardian).
Formed in New York in 1999, The National’s last five albums have all been in the Top 5 in the UK charts, with 2017’s Grammy award-winning Sleep Well Beast hitting Number 1. In the US, the band have scored five top 10 albums on The Billboard 200, supporting the quintet’s globally acclaimed status. Earlier this year The National released their new record First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which was swiftly followed five months later by the surprise release of the follow-up album, Laugh Track, in September. With a penchant for epic shows with ever-changing setlists, The National at Crystal Palace Park is set to be one of the most anticipated shows in London next summer.
Joining The National will be special guests Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Hailing from New Zealand, but nurtured in Portland, the experimental psych-rock band released their latest record V in March this year to widespread critical acclaim. Evoking picturesque scenes, think blue skies and palm trees, with their rich and sun-bleached sound, the band have more recently been drawing upon traditions of West Coast AOR, yacht rock, weirdo pop and Hawaiian Hapa-haole music in their work.
Kevin Morby is also added to the bill for next summer. The prolific musician released his latest album This Is a Photograph in 2022 to a rapturous critical reception. Inspired by the greats Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and Nina Simone, his deft songwriting is fast putting him on the same path to create an ever-lasting legacy as those he takes influence from. Also appearing at Crystal Palace Park on Friday 5 July 2024 is This Is The Kit. The brainchild of esteemed artist Kate Stables, June 2023 saw the release of their most recent record Careful of Your Keepers – a collection of folk rock musings that are both daring and soft yet cutting and warm in their soundscapes.
This Is The Kit said:“Hooray! Over the moon to be hitting some shows again with The National. It’s been too long, lads!!”
Crystal Palace Park is London’s original outdoor concert venue, with previous performers including The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley and Pink Floyd. In 2023 the park played host to an array of exciting talent including Iggy Pop and Blondie, The Lumineers, plus Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats as part of Community Festival Presents, and there’s even more stellar day shows to be announced for 2024.
Tickets go on general sale 10:00AM Friday 17 November from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
