The sold-out crowd at Disco Rodeo in Raleigh was treated to a perfect performance from Indie-rockers Interpol and Blonde Redhead on Sunday, Feb. 28.

The place was as packed as it possibly could be, but the venue itself disappointed many, mainly because opening band Blonde Redhead was told to begin the show earlier than most expected. About a hundred fans were left standing outside in the cold rain, forced to hear most of the opening band’s set in the form of muffled beats leaking through the venue’s metal walls.

Many fans were angry, but those who made it in caught a few great songs from Blonde Redhead. Their set was impressive but minimal, as the band finished up about 10 songs without playing some of their more recognized tracks.

Once inside, the angry fans that missed the opening act couldn’t help but forget about their previous misfortune as Interpol put on an unforgettable performance. The band sounded just as good, even better than they do on their recordings.

Disco Rodeo as a venue did not live up to the standards the bands had set. Besides leaving fans in the rain for most of the opening act, the venue is laid out in such a poor manor that it was very hard for the crowd to get a good view of the stage. The main floor is raised from the surrounding floor and has a railing going around it with a single entrance in. With this set-up, only the hundred-or-so people who squeezed onto their porch-like platform even had a chance of seeing the stage. Some of the bands’ biggest fans could be seen on the outskirts of the Disco Rodeo with no view of the stage, singing to every lyric while straining their necks for a glimpse of the performers.

In addition to the venues poor layout, rain leaked from the ceiling above the stage onto expensive guitars, keyboards, and equipment. Still, the bands didn’t seem to mind and just made a few jokes about the situation.

In spite of the venue, Interpol was flawless. They opened their set playing through the first three tracks off their latest album “Antics.” Just as it seemed that they might play straight through the whole album, they broke into some of the better tracks off their previous release “Turn on the Bright Lights.”

The band spoke very little and moved around even less but a pitch perfect sound and an amazing light show made up for their lack of personality. A short “Thank you” and some tuning of guitars were all that was heard from the band in between songs.

On stage, the entire band sported expensive suits while playing under the red blaze of stage lights and fog that have become their signature.

The crowd was responsive and appreciative and in turn Interpol gave them a great show filled with extended versions and lengthy breakdowns of some of their best songs. Despite the rain and lack of love from the Disco Rodeo, fans of Interpol left with an even better impression of the beloved band.