RECAP: DJO BRINGS 'BACK ON YOU' TOUR TO PNE FORUM IN VANCOUVER

Joe Keery may be famous for playing Steve Harrington on Stranger Things, but at this point, it’s probably more accurate to call him a musician who happens to act. He’s three albums in as Djo, and his new one, The Crux, dropped just last week. The Vancouver stop at the PNE Forum—upgraded from the Commodore Ballroom— marked only the fourth night of the Back On You World Tour, but you wouldn’t know it from how tight the set already feels.

Photos by Caroline Charruyer / Backspin Canada — Photos by **Caroline Charruyer** / Backspin Canada

Opening the night was Post Animal, Keery’s old band from his Chicago days. They’ve kept their momentum going since he left, and their set was a wild, guitar-heavy ride. It felt like a nice full-circle moment, watching them open for their former bandmate. Fans who’ve been around since Twenty Twenty clearly knew the connection, and the crowd gave them a warm welcome. Their set was loud, chaotic, and fun—just what you want to kick off a night like this.

At 9pm, Keery walked onstage in the darkness with the full band. The crowd—mostly 20-somethings who clearly knew every word—lost it right away.

A lot has changed since his debut. DECIDE had some strong singles but felt a bit like it was figuring itself out. The Crux, though, hits a new stride. It's cohesive, rich, and weird in the best ways. Live, the new songs stretch out, build up, and get nice and warped—like Tame Impala with a sprinkle of Daft Punk. “End of Beginning” was a standout, both on the album and in the room.

Keery’s guitar work is back at the forefront, which longtime fans from the Post Animal days will appreciate. There's more confidence on stage now too—this is Joe Keery the artist, fully in it.

The crowd vibe was a mix of excitement and awe, especially for the older songs like “Roddy” and “Chateau (Feel Alright).” The Forum’s acoustics can be hit or miss, but tonight it worked—big sound, big lights, and a hypnotic groove that didn’t let up.

This leg of the tour stays in North America until early May before heading to Europe. If the rest of the shows are anything like Vancouver’s, Djo’s about to level up in a big way.

Remaining North American Tour Dates

April 8 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre

April 10 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

April 11 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival

April 15 – Pomona, CA @ Fox Theater Pomona

April 16 – Del Mar, CA @ The Sound at Del Mar

April 18 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival

April 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren

April 21 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at The Complex

April 23 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom

April 25 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee

April 26 – Saint Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre