If there's any band to provide the soundtrack to a Friday night, it's The National.
Comprised of vocalist Matt Berninger, guitarist Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and brothers Scott and Bryan Devendorf on bass and drums respectively, The National have long had a dedicated following for their brand of indie rock.
But it's their latest album, Trouble Will Find Me, that seems to have won the Grammy-nominated group a legion of new fans.
And looking at the congregation at their Sydney Opera House forecourt performance, it's a healthy mix.
Gingham-shirted baby boomers sat sidled up against the barefoot Gen-Y brigade, themselves too busy feverishly checking themselves in on Facebook to give the support act much love.
But when the main event finally emerged, the cheer was unanimous.
Perhaps keeping with their low-key vibe, introductory formalities were kept simple.
"How you going?" offered Berninger, before delving into the popular Don't Swallow the Cap.
With more than a touch of Nick Cave about it, his resonant pipes give the group's raw lyrics an emotional potency - particularly in the sensitive I Need My Girl - that would be lost without a voice to stand out against the thrumming background.
That said, sometimes the lyrical simplicity goes a bit too far.
There may be a million songs about romantic relationships falling apart, but surely there's a more poetic way to get that across than with: "You said you stayed home with the flu, I found out from friends that wasn't true."
In Demons, Berninger's voice was again put to good use as the deep melodies vibrated through forecourt's stone steps - only to be let lose in the hard-edge Conversation 16.
The more energetic numbers seemed to garner the loudest cheers - the opening chords of Trouble will find me were immediately welcomed, while This Is The Last Time earnt an extra chorus of foot-tapping.
And while the devotees might not like the comparison, there's something reminiscent of U2 in the band's repetitive, rhythmic stylings (though Berninger thankfully prefers three-piece suits to tinted sunglasses).
Reclining against the Sydney Opera House forecourt, the crowd seemed to drink in the performance - and according to Berninger, the feeling was mutual.
"This is very beautiful. We know how lucky we are."
The National will perform their second show at the Sydney Opera House forecourt on February 8.
