The National Close Coachella Set With Bon Iver's Justin Vernon

The National delivered a powerful set at Coachella's Outdoor Theatre on Sunday night, rocking a sprawling, contemplative crowd while competing with '80s legends Duran Duran on the Main stage.

Having released their stellar fifth album 'High Violet' in May 2010, the Brooklyn band has been on tour for the better part of the last year, and seeing them against the dark mountains as the sun set over the desert was a treat for longtime fans.

Frontman Matt Berninger's detached, lofty voice carried melancholy across the sand, singing until his voice grew ragged and strained -- and all the more heartfelt -- as the band, backed by a horn section, battled questionable sound and strains of 'Hungry Like the Wolf' from the neighboring stage.

Stopping only to thank the crowd, Berninger and his band of brothers, Aaron and Bryce Dessner and Scott and Bryan Devendorf, tore through 11 songs in under an hour, starting with fan favorites 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and 'Anyone's Ghost' from 'High Violet' then soaring though one of the night's highlights, 'Squalor Victoria,' from their 2007 album 'Boxer.'

During the second half of their set, the group returned to their 2005 breakthrough LP 'Alligator' for 'Abel' and, predictably, 'Mr. November' to the crowd's delight, as a swollen moon hung low over the palms. The performance concluded with 'High Violet' opener 'Terrible Love,' featuring a surprise guest appearance by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, who sang on the album version of the song and would perform with Kanye West later in the evening.

"It's a beautiful night, we had a great time. Thank you!" Berninger said earnestly before the band finished their set. It was indeed a beautiful night imbued with a bit of somberness as the fans reluctantly drifted to their next stop and Duran Duran played 'Girls on Film' nearby.

The National Perform 'Anyone's Ghost' at Coachella


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