Recently, Matt Berninger, the lead singer and principal lyrists for the Brooklyn via Cincinnati indie rock band The National, released his second solo album, Get Sunk. And he brought his solo tour behind the album to the Lincoln Theatre — with emerging singer-songwriter Ronboy (the stage name of Julia Laws) opening the show and playing keys in his band.
The Lincoln suited Berninger’s vibe perfectly; the music was definitely rock, but an elegant, one might even say debonair, take on it. Berninger is known for brooding lyrics delivered in an often somber baritone, and his solo debut, 2020’s Serpentine Prison, fits that description. Get Sunk is, comparatively, a brighter more optimistic album, fueled by a move with his family to Connecticut after a decade in Los Angeles.
In the main set at the Lincoln Theatre on May 29, Matt stuck to his solo material, judiciously reserving a National song for the encore, beginning with three numbers from Get Sunk: “No Love,” “Frozen Oranges,” and the character study “Breaking Into Acting.” On the album, Hand Habits’ Meg Duffy — one of many collaborators on the record — sings the last one with him, and Julia covered her part.
Watch the official music video for “Breaking into Acting” by Matt Berninger featuring Hand Habits on YouTube:
Berninger followed with “Distant Axis,” which we wrote with the Walkmen. He wrote “Serpentine Prison” for both himself and his nine-year old daughter, including many rhymes.
Next up was “Silver Springs,” and then he got a bit meta with “Let It Be,” explaining that the song is him riffing on the Replacements riffing on the Beatles. While Matt’s new material is warmer, this wouldn’t be a genuine Berninger set without songs like “Junk,” “All for Nothing,” and “Nowhere Special.” The optimism came through on “One More Second” and “Little By Little.”
After finishing his set with two more tracks from Get Sunk, “Times of Difficulty” and “Bonnet of Pins,” he returned for an encore, starting with the National’s “Light Years,” followed by the sole cover of the evening, Nrivana’s “All Apologies,” and closing with “Inland Ocean.”
I wasn’t familiar with Ronboy’s work before the show, but I liked it. I can see why Matt works with her; there are definite lyrical and sonic similarities. I didn’t catch all the song titles — the material was new to me — but “Brass Buckles” went to “anyone’s who dealt with a bully” (my greatest bully, arguably, has been my father, who insisted my sister was smarter and said, as a way of calling me fat, that my zodiac sign was a buffet.) Another song was called “High and Lonely,” and Matt came out to sign a number with her.
I always appreciate being introduced to a new artist I enjoy. This was also my first time seeing Matt, and I’ve long been an admirer of his work both on his own and with the National. He didn’t disappoint.
Here are some photos of Matt Berninger performing live at the Lincoln Theatre in DC on May 29, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
Here are some photos of Ronboy opening Matt Berninger at the Lincoln Theatre in DC on May 29, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
