Photo Credit: Josh Goleman

Previously, The National announced its participation in the Sept. 15 and 16 Homecoming Festival in their native Cincinnati. Now, the band has followed up and shared their plans to run through two albums in full each night during their headlining festival appearances. 

The group of esteemed musicians will perform a pair of critically acclaimed albums from start to finish for the first time, beginning with High Violet on Sept. 15, followed by Trouble Will Find Me on Sept. 16. In addition to the aforementioned material, The National will also treat fans to cuts plucked from across their expansive catalog. 

During what was supposed to be the band’s 2020 appearance at Homecoming, they intended to pull extensively from 2010’s High Violet collection, using the 11-track collection as the centerpiece–due to COVID-19, the performance was nixed over safety concerns–and celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the favored material. 

The group will fulfill its 2020 intent during this year’s gathering and, in addition, mark the 10-year anniversary of another album, the follow-up to High Violet, 2013’s Trouble Will Find Me. In addition to the headliners, other acts include Patti Smith & Her Band, Pavement, Weyes Blood, and The Walkmen.

“When we launched Homecoming in 2018, we were overwhelmed by the response from the community and by our renewed sense of connection to our hometown. It was such an exciting, memorable weekend, and we’ve long hoped to bring it back,” offered The National via press release. “We’re honored to return to Cincinnati five years later and be joined by so many of our favorite musicians and friends.”

The forthcoming festival appearances represent the band’s only regional gigs on the books. Prior to today’s announcement, band member Aaron Dessner made a local appearance, joining Taylor Swift on stage during her July 1st Eras tour stop in the city. Notably, Dessner co-produced Swift’s folklore and evermore albums and remains her frequent collaborator.