'At the peak of their powers, New York Cares, but London loves them like no other'

"It's great to be here in London," smiles a visibly humbled Paul Banks. "This is our home away from home". Indeed, they are received like hometown heroes, because in this career-spanning odyssey of sheer class, they give themselves completely to us.

Opening with the frantic and angular call to arms of 'Say Hello To The Angels', we're reminded of how this band arrived so fully-formed with their immaculate debut, Turn On The Bright Lights. But it's taken over 13 years, five records and one hell of a rocky road for their hidden potential to be appreciated.

Few bands lucky enough to have one of those classic records manage to live outside of its shadow, but as the infectious compulsion behind new LP El Pintor's 'Anywhere' proves tonight, one can't help but sense that the best of Interpol may still be to come. After all, they're truly in their prime right now, at the peak of their powers.

The cool and smouldering decadence of 'My Blue Supreme' and post-punk twister of 'Breaker 1' carry all the marks and flourishes of art rock on an arena scale, and are played with the same passion as modern day classic 'Evil'. A true sign of the fans' acceptance of this highly-evolved Interpol however, is the surprise elation saved for choice cuts from their often unfairly-maligned Our Love To Admire and self-titled record. 'Rest My Chemistry' simmers as the ultimate morning-after reflection, 'Pioneer To The Falls' can finally be enjoyed by a band with the conviction to do it justice, and the mini epic of 'Lights' well and truly feels like the centre-piece of the evening.

'Not Even Jail', arguably their finest accomplishment, shows the band's idiosyncratic knack of tension, release, drama and romance, but it's a pleasure to hear 'Slow Hands' received as well as 'All The Rage Back Home'. 'NYC' and 'PDA' make for the perfect goodbye kiss from an old friend, but the wild fanaticism they inspire is enough to welcome them back for a rarely seen encore of the haunting love note of 'Untitled'. They literally could not have done more. New York Cares, but London loves you like no other.

Interpol played:

Say Hello to the Angels

Anywhere

My Blue Supreme

Evil

The New

My Desire

Rest My Chemistry

Everything Is Wrong

Lights

Breaker 1

Pioneer to the Falls

Narc

Not Even Jail

Slow Hands

Encore:

All the Rage Back Home

NYC

PDA

Encore 2:

Untitled