The National return for first full show in two years with Richard Reed Parry and rare song
The National played their first full-band concert since 2024 at the closing night of AB100 in San Sebastián. Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire joined them as a surprise guest, and the band performed ‘90-Mile Water Wall’ for the first time since 2014. They also brought out artist Ragnar Kjartansson for a second rendition of ‘Sorrow’.
The National's San Sebastián appearance was their first complete-band performance since 2024 and their sole full-group date this year. Staged at Kursaal Auditorium as AB100's finale, it was billed "The National And Friends" and mixed guests with lesser-played material. Richard Reed Parry, an Arcade Fire multi-instrumentalist, had previously contributed to High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me. Ragnar Kjartansson joined for a second "Sorrow," after their 2013 New York collaboration.
Maybe second paragraph: The 22-song set began with three consecutive tracks and later included "Oblivions," "Smoke Detector," "Terrible Love," and "About Today." The encore paired "Once Upon a Poolside" with "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks." The prior night, Matt Berninger and Aaron and Bryce Dessner played Biarritz's Atabal with guests including Ben Howard, Kevin Morby, Jon Hopkins, and Michael Stipe, performing R.E.M.'s "E-Bow The Letter."
Count: First paragraph ~62? Let's count. "The National's San Sebastián appearance was their first complete-band performance since 2024 and their sole full-group date this year. Staged at Kursaal Auditorium as AB100's finale, it was billed "The National And Friends" and mixed guests with lesser-played material. Richard Reed Parry, an Arcade Fire multi-instrumentalist, had previously contributed to High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me. Ragnar Kjartansson joined for a second "Sorrow," after their 2013 New York collaboration." Count: The(1) National's2 San3 Sebastián4 a
1 paragraph under 90 words measured analysis possible impact on society — who affected and how, framed as reasoned perspective ("could", "may"), never as fact, no political advocacy. Need under 90 words. Could say: For longtime fans and festival audiences, this reunion-style set may revive interest in the band's deep catalogue and collaborative history. The surprise appearances could draw attention to Arcade Fire's Parry and artist Ragnar Kjartansson, potentially introducing their work to new listeners. Event organizers and San Sebastián's cultural scene might benefit from increased visibility. However, as a one-off full-band show, its broader social impact is likely limited to music communities and live-event economies rather than wider cultural change. Count: For1 longtime2 fans3 and4 festival5 audiences6, this7 reunion-style8 set9 may10 revive11 interest12 in13 the14 band's15 deep16 catalogue17 and18 collaborative19 history20. The21 surprise22 appearances23 could24 draw25 attention