Interpol Perform New Songs at Chicago Show

After taking a three-year hiatus, Interpol touched down at Chicago's Vic Theatre Sunday night and performed the first of a two-night sold-out stint. The band showed off new bassist Dave Pajo and touring keyboardist Brandon Curtis from the Secret Machines and debuted three new tunes from their forthcoming September self-titled album.

Immersed in the shadows, the men in black cut to the chase and opened with newbie 'Success,' filling the venue with their signature brooding melodies. The fast-paced 'Say Hello to the Angels' from 'Turn on the Bright Lights' came next and perked up the screaming audience. While the rest of the band stood as still as statues, lively guitarist Daniel Kessler shuffled around onstage with his fancy footwork and came up close the audience. 'Summer Well' and recently released single 'Lights' were amongst the newer material that indicated the record will be a return to dark subject matter.

Even though their 16-song, 90-minute set premiered new songs, it quickly became a greatest hits collage, which included the downtempo deep cut 'Leif Erikson' from 'Bright Lights.' Both Bright 'Lights' and sophomore record 'Antics' were well represented, but last album 'Our Love to Admire' only had two songs make the list. The band rolled through 'Narc,' 'C'Mere,' 'Rest My Chemistry,' 'Evil' and then tinkered with 'PDA.' For a minute, drummer Sam Fogarino generated a ticking noise with his cymbals that mixed in with droning synths before the song exploded into its rollicking first chords.

After ending on head-nodder 'Not Even Jail,' the band came back for a three-song encore of classics. On the dirge 'The Lighthouse,' at first Kessler wailed on his guitar while reticent lead singer Paul Banks stood alone in the spotlight without an instrument. A couple of minutes into the song, Banks picked up his guitar and was joined by the rest of the band. Interpol performed the downtrodden 'NYC,' ended on slow burner 'Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down,' then graciously thanked the crowd before walking offstage.