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Live at The Rady Shell
August 19th, 2026 Review by Fatima Kelley
The city was full of PDA tonight as a sold-out crowd welcomed Interpol back to town at the gorgeous Rady Shell located downtown on the picturesque San Diego Bay.
It was a perfectly crafted evening where moody and melancholy music danced hand in hand to the glittering downtown skyline reflecting on the water; an evening so perfect even the moon seemed inclined to offer a slither of a smile.
The night started off with Julie, a Noise rock trio from Orange Country. Their balance of ethereal soundscapes, grinding guitars, and skull-pounding drum beats were the perfect musical appetizer for the evening. This was my first introduction to the band, and the performance was impressive. Their nine-song setlist definitely piqued my curiosity and left me wanting more.
While I could pick up some influences from Sonic Youth and the Breeders, Julie managed to create a sound that is truly their own and seemed like a perfect fit to Interpol’s style.
Watching the opening band capture the attention of a sold-out crowd and turn them into new fans was truly a testament to their remarkable stage presence. I left the show curious and where to hear more of their music.
After a brief stage changeover, Interpol was introduced by San Diego’s own skate legend and longtime fan, Tony Hawk, who stated he will only retire once Interpol stops touring. Neither I nor the crowd that cheered the speech is ready for either of them to call it quits anytime soon!
Interpol took the stage as it was infused with fog, instantly allowing fans to be submerged in the music. The shell shaped stage perfectly cradled the atmosphere, creating an intimate discourse between stage and crowd. The lights warmed up as the music intensified, then switched back to cool shady blues while the music eased up, all magnifying the beautifully rhythmic dynamics that Interpol’s music offers.
They opened with “This Mirror Weights a Ton,” one of the four new songs from their upcoming studio album of the same name and due out August 28th.
I loved this song immediately when it was released a few months ago, but hearing it live made it much more special. It slowly builds up, dragging you further in note after note. Its rhythm steadily forcing your feet to march while eloquent guitar riffs undulate your body, leaving you lulled as if by surrounding waters until you find yourself completely buried in the sound.
They played “C’mere” from 2004’s “Antics,” which proved to be a crowd and pit favorite. The steady repetition of its guitar riffs is so hypnotic, and its bass line holds you captive. It was followed by “No I in Threesome” from “Our Love to Admire,” which I still consider one of their best albums, although possibly the most underrated.
They followed this with “All the Rage Back Home” and it was very difficult to walk away from the pit while this song was playing. I think I fall in love with Interpol a little more each time I hear this song and kudos to Matt Barrick of The Walkmen who is filling in on drums for Sam Fogarino. Fogarino’s shoes are really tough to fill but Barrick infused this song, and the entire evening, with his own magic.
“Rest My Chemistry” was another fan favorite of the night, its bass line forcing everyone’s feet to dance and its guitar riffs moving you.
Paul Banks’ voice felt particularly haunting and rich in this song. They followed this with two new songs, “See Out Loud” and “Wings on Fire,” from the upcoming album.
The band took us back to 2014 with “My Desire” from “El Pintor,” then back to 2004 with the always crowd pleasing “Evil” where Brad Truax’s haunting bass lines seems to echo from within. Then they jumped to 2007 with my favorite, “Pioneer to the Falls.”
This is one of the most musically eloquent songs I think I have ever heard. Daniel Kessler’s guitar twinkles of interstellar magic, strategically mimicked by the light design where mini spotlights floated across the back stage and roof of the shell.
Interpol’s music is so exquisitely baroque, rich, and full of layers and movement. Tonight’s set lists a continuous progression of crowd favorites where you could easily hear fans singing along to old and new tunes alike – a crowd that was screaming for the encore, and after the encore was left wanting even more.
“Narc” and “Obstacle 1” took us all the way back to the beginning to pull us straight into the future with “Iron City,” another from their upcoming release.
They ended the show in full magic with “Roland” and “Slow Hands,” which always gets the entire crowd dancing. The band came back to the stage with an encore that somehow just seemed to top it all – “NYC” followed by “Take You on a Cruise,” and then “PDA.”
If you have a chance to catch Interpol live, do so because they certainly won’t disappoint. Be sure to pick up their album when it drops later this month as well, plus visit the band’s website for details on listening parties for “This Mirror Weights a Ton” to be held August 20th.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Kelley Photography
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SID 260820 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
