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“We expected something, something better than before. We expected something more,” sang Matt Berninger, lead singer of The National, over the opening chords to “Start a War” from their critically acclaimed album “Boxer.” Whatever the audience at 9:30 club was expecting, they certainly got it. The National did not disappoint.

Battling a lingering cold that had him at times turning from the mic to hack violently Sept. 5, Berninger was a complete professional, displaying why the band’s live show is getting so much praise. Despite his obvious illness, the band took their time to perform a medley of songs mainly from their last two albums, “Boxer” and “Alligator.”

Early in the set, while cruising through songs like “Mistaken For Strangers” and “Secret Meeting,” the band was pretty tight-laced and stoic, with Berninger barely acknowledging the fact that both the entire floor and balcony of the club were full of people hanging onto his every word.

But as he gripped the microphone tightly, singing with clapped eyes, “You might need me more than you think you will” towards the end of “Brainy,” a shriek of guitar feedback seemed to send a pulse through the entire band. The next song, “Baby, We’ll Be Fine,” was noticeably more emotionally charged, with Berninger crooning, “I’m so sorry for everything,” over and over.

Near the middle of the set, with the band hitting on all cylinders, Berninger began to joke a bit. As he introduced a fan favorite, “Abel,” he smirked slyly, “This song is by the Beach Boys.” With that he burst into a howl of “MY MIND’S NOT RIGHT. MY MIND’S NOT RIGHT,” to the adoration of a roomful of screaming, fist-pumping fans.

The band slowed down with the subdued “Racing Like a Pro” and “Wasp Nest,” one of the few songs they played that’s not from “Boxer” or “Alligator.” As the band members switched up instruments, the glittering chords to “All the Wine” made the crowd explode once more with applause.

As the night continued, the band’s performance became increasingly tighter and hypnotic. Multi-instrumental maestro Padma Newsome wailed away at his violin for a couple of memorable solos, particularly at the end of “Fake Empire,” where he replaced the horn section from the recorded version with an impassioned bow attack to his strings.

By this point, Berninger looked like a walking corpse. Hair disheveled, face gaunt, sweating profusely, you had to give the man points for even attempting to continue.

With that, The National exited the stage, only to quickly return for their encore. Having seemingly used up all of his remaining energy, Berninger calmly sang “Lucky You,” off of “Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers.” Near the end, as he sang “You’re too smart, lucky you,” a small smile crossed his face, as if he was privy to an inside joke that the rest of us were not. It was a tender moment, made even more so because of the weariness with which it came.

The band closed with an epic version of “About Today,” off of the “Cherry Tree” EP. Berninger was the first to leave the stage, and each member followed him off one by one, until only drummer Bryan Devendorf was left. When he finished, he politely thanked the crowd and joined his fellow band mates offstage. The crowds then quickly dispersed into the D.C. night – the echoes of The National’s melancholy melodies drifting out through the streets with them.

The National’s fourth full-length album, Boxer, is out now on Beggars Banquet Records.