October 6, 2012 16:29
The National receive hate mail for supporting Barack Obama The National Tickets
Band take the flak for publically backing the US President
Photo: Andrew Whitton/NME
The National received hate mail for supporting US President Barack Obama's campaign for four more years in the oval office.
The band were sent "hate mail on Facebook" for playing a Democratic campaign rally for the incumbent President in Des Moines last month, according to guitarist/keyboardist Aaron Dessner.
Despite the criticism, the Brooklyn group say they stand by their decision to publically support Obama as the election is "more important than any rock band".
"I know we've gotten responses from people [who] don't like the fact that we've taken a position on it," front man Matt Berninger told The Lantern. "I don't actually think artists or musicians necessarily have a responsibility to do that. But in our case, the five of us…talked about it and we were like, 'Yeah, it's worth it, for sure'."
The National return to the UK this December to headline All Tomorrow's Parties. The three-day festival will return to its original venue, Pontins in Camber Sands, after Butlins in Minehead ended its contract with the festival. The band will host the event on December 7-9.
The line-up also includes Kronos Quartet, The Antlers, Owen Pallett, Boris, Tim Hecker, Sharon Van Etten, My Brightest Diamond, Wye Oak, Lower Dens, Megafaun, Suuns, Local Natives, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Michael Rother presents the music of Neu! & Harmonia, Deerhoof, Menomena, Nico Muhly, Stars Of The Lid, Youth Lagoon, Perfume Genius, Bear In Heaven, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Mark Mulcahy (Miracle Legion), Kathleen Edwards, Hauschka, This Is The Kit, So Percussion and Hayden.
For a full line-up and more information see ATPfestival.com. To check the availability of ATP tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.
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| Date/Time | Venue | Town/City | Seetickets | Viagogo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 09, 2013 | Odyssey | Belfast | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Nov 11, 2013 | O2 Apollo | Manchester |
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| Nov 11, 2013 | O2 Apollo Manchester | Manchester | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Nov 12, 2013 | O2 Apollo | Manchester |
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| Nov 12, 2013 | O2 Apollo Manchester | Manchester | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Nov 13, 2013 | Alexandra Palace | Wood Green, London | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Nov 14, 2013 | Alexandra Palace | Wood Green, London | Tickets not currently available. |
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More News
| Date/Time | Venue | Town/City | Seetickets | Viagogo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 Nov 2013 | Odyssey | Belfast | Tickets not currently available. |
Buy The National
Tickets |
| 11 Nov 2013 | O2 Apollo | Manchester |
Buy The National
Tickets |
Buy The National Tickets |
| 11 Nov 2013 | O2 Apollo Manchester | Manchester | Tickets not currently available. |
Buy The National
Tickets |
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