RECAP: THE NATIONAL + THE WAR ON DRUGS 'ZEN DIAGRAM TOUR' AT ROGERS ARENA

On a beautiful October evening in Vancouver, the city was alive as ever for a Wednesday. As thousands of fans filled Rogers Arena for The National and The War On Drugs, just across the street, the Vancouver Whitecaps were taking on the Seattle Sounders at BC Place. Inside Rogers Arena the atmosphere was anything but deflated. The 15th stop of the Zen Diagram Tour was set to be something special, with only five shows remaining, and the crowd awaited the magic that these two powerhouse bands were about to show them.

Photos by Tage Stenner / Backspin Canada

As soon as The War On Drugs kicked off with their high-energy set with "Baby Missiles," it was clear the crowd was in for a ride. Surrounded by a maze of amps and gear, with soft purples and blues swirling around them, the band kept the focus firmly on the music.

Frontman Adam Granduciel held the stage with quiet intensity, his guitar work setting the tone for an immersive set. The propulsive beat of "Pain" had heads nodding in unison, while "An Ocean in Between the Waves" took the audience on a more expansive journey, the cascading guitars almost hypnotic.

One of the standout moments came when Granduciel paused between songs to shout out Vancouver’s Biltmore Cabaret, a small venue where the band had performed early in their career. The nostalgia resonated with longtime fans, adding a personal touch to an otherwise vast arena show.

As the set progressed, songs like "Red Eyes" and "Harmonia’s Dream" kept the energy simmering, but it was the anthemic "Under the Pressure" that truly captivated, building layers of sound until the arena was swimming in reverb and light. The band capped things off with "I Don’t Live Here Anymore," and the surprise appearance of Lucius for backup vocals turned the song into an unforgettable closer.

Then came The National. As they stepped onto the stage, the backdrop burst into swirling abstract visuals, casting a dreamlike atmosphere over the arena. The opening song "Don't Swallow the Cap" was being sang throughout the seats, and the band immediately captured the audience in their signature emotional depth.

Matt Berninger’s voice carried a unique weight—calm yet full of feeling—as he led the band through a set that spanned their impressive discography. The lush sounds of "Eucalyptus" and "Tropic Morning News" set a haunting tone, while the dark and brooding "Squalor Victoria" upped the intensity. Berninger’s ability to connect with the audience was on full display when he crouched at the edge of the stage during "I Need My Girl," reaching into the crowd, creating a moment of personal connection in the massive space.

The middle of the set saw the arena swell with emotion during "Bloodbuzz Ohio," as fans chanted along to every word. The backdrop of swirling colours and flickering lights felt like an extension of the band’s sound, each beat perfectly paired with the visuals.

The encore was truly amazing. Opening with "Alien," the band moved through crowd favourites like "Mr. November" and "Terrible Love." But it was the closer, "About Today," that truly resonated, with Berninger’s voice soft and fragile, leaving a hush over the crowd.

The Zen Diagram Tour lives up to its name, blending the distinct sounds of The War On Drugs and The National into an experience that felt cohesive and complementary. Where The War On Drugs took the crowd on a sweeping, sonic journey, The National delved into the raw emotional core of their music. Each band brought their own magic to the stage, creating a night that was both vast and intimate.

As the tour winds down with only four dates remaining, fans are left wondering: How will these final shows unfold? If Vancouver’s stop was any indication, we'd recommend seeing it while you still can.