Tegan and Sare performed live at The Nationalin Richmond, Va., on February 18th.  The Woove's own Rosalie Wind was there for the show.

An intimate concert venue in Richmond, VA, The National has hosted known artists like Gogol Bordello, Monsters of Folk, and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Last Thursday, February 18th, marked the stellar performance by the Canadian indie pop duo, Tegan & Sara, who released their sixth album Sainthood in October.

The twin sisters had an impressive stage presence: They played from nine to eleven thirty, entertaining the crowd wonderfully with stories of touring, games they played as children, and even having the audience sing “Happy Birthday” to a devoted fan in the front row. They opened with new songs from Sainthood, “Hell,” “The Cure,” and the catchy, bittersweet “Alligator.”

They took a short break from singing, Tegan Quin ending a song early because she could not finish the guitar work required. Continuing onto older songs, they played favorites like “Where Does the Good Go,” “Nineteen,” and a slower, more melancholy version of “My Number.” The songs alternated between Tegan & Sara every so often, highlighting each sister’s musical talents. They then introduced the rest of the band, thanking them for their efforts and even pointed out a fan who had been to every show on their tour, displaying a genuine gratitude and love for loyal Tegan & Sara-heads.

The best song performed, “Back in Your Head,” off of The Con (2007), spotlighted Sara Quin’s brilliant song writing and earnest vocals. Though both twins present themselves and their songs beautifully, Sara comes off as the more modest and even more appealing Quin as she sits back and lets her sister Tegan work with the audience more.

Next came two new songs from Sainthood, “Sentimental Tune” and “Arrow.” After, Sara led the audience in “Walking with a Ghost,” from So Jealous (2004). Tegan revealed to the crowd what made her and Sara pursue singing, seeing Bruce Springsteen live twenty years ago with their parents, and joked about how being a rock star allowed her and her sister to sexually harass their band members. The small-framed Tegan teased: “We couldn’t do this if we were guys, we wouldn’t get away with it. But we’re practically elves, so it’s adorable,” Sara responding: “Lesbian elves, so it’s okay.”

Eventually, the girls closed with a personal favorite, “Living Room,” from If It Was You (2002). Afterwards, they thanked the audience again for coming out, and the lights came up.

A band worth seeing live, Tegan & Sara has excellent, catchy tunes and enjoyable stage chemistry. They can rock out with fast and loud songs, but they can also woo their audience with quiet acoustic performances, and they have a cute, charming quality that they deserve and have most definitely earned.