Three’s Company: The National, The War on Drugs and Lucius share stage at Breese Stevens
The National, The War on Drugs and Lucius share stage at Breese Stevens
Madison, Wisconsin, was host to the triple bill of the late summer and early fall as Breese Stevens Field welcomed The Zen Diagram Tour featuring The National, The War on Drugs, and Lucius. The multipurpose stadium constructed in 1925 is home to the USL’s Forward Madison FC League One soccer team. It also regularly holds concerts, primarily those sponsored by Madison-based FPC Live.
The Zen Diagram Tour rolled through Thursday, Sept. 26, on a gorgeous blue-sky evening. Lucius hit the stage early. With a 5:30 p.m. set time, a large share of the audience had yet to arrive.
Still Holly Laessig and a very pregnant (32 weeks) Jess Wolfe put on the best show they could during their limited 30-minute set.
Laessig, Wolfe, guitarist Peter Lalish and drummer Dan Molad kicked the evening off with “Nothing Ordinary” from their 2013 debut album Wildewoman (which they recently re-recorded and released in May as Wildewoman (The New Recordings)).
Their six-song set was heavy on songs from that recording — they also included “Tempest,” “Two of Us on the Run” and “Genevieve.”
What must be a brand new, as-of-yet unreleased song “Lucy” also made the set, and they obviously took advantage of being on tour of The War on Drugs by bringing Adam Granduciel on stage to perform their latest collaboration “Old Tape.”
Granduciel, of course, would later return the favor by featuring the ladies to close The War on Drugs set with their 2021 collaboration: the title track from I Don’t Live Here Anymore.
The War on Drugs most recent release is their second collection of live tracks — Live Drugs Again — sourced from their 2022 and 2023 tours.
Madison’s 10-song set included five tracks included on Live Drugs Again — “Pain,” “I Don’t Want to Wait,” “Harmonia’s Dream,” “Under the Pressure” and “I Don’t Live Here Anymore.”
The current seven-member lineup of The War on Drugs brings the band’s mesmerizing sound to full fruition. I believe their instrumental sections are the best of any live touring rock band.
Unlike a lot of “jam bands,” the musical interludes Granduciel and company provide aren’t interminable or overly drawn-out. They’re tasteful and respectful of the audience who comes to hear the songs, not 13-minute adlib sessions.
More of that audience had filled in the stadium by the time The War on Drugs had completed their roughly 8–minute set. Still, there were plenty of empty seats in the VIP section when The National took the stage at 8:10 p.m. One has to consider that there were at least three other big-ticket events in the Wisconsin capital. Those who gathered on the turf and in the stands at Breese Stevens should have no regrets, however.
The National capped off a tremendous evening of music. Frontman Matt Berninger continually tested the limits of the stage and his own stability on it — stepping up on monitors and lighting cages, and frantically pacing back and forth. On several occasions, Berninger headed to the barrier to interact with fans; before finally jumping the barrier completely and mingling among the adoring faithful.
I’ve seen any number of artists leave the stage to perform amidst the crowd. I think Berninger is the only one I’ve seen do it with a corded mic, a challenging maneuver that left his mic tech looking like a fisher trying to land a big one.
The one-hour-and-45-minute set was a career-spanning performance. Like The War on Drugs, The National also have a live-album forthcoming. Rome, recorded June 3 at the Italian capital’s Cavea at Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone is slated for a Dec. 13 release.
And like The War on Drugs, The National performed exactly half of the tracks featured on the new live release, including favorites like “Eucalyptus,” “Tropic Morning News,” “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” “I Need My Girl,” “Graceless” and “Fake Empire.”
The National’s latest performance in Madison comes just more than a year since their last. I caught and reviewed that August 2023 show just across the street at The Sylvee. While Thursday’s was a great concert, I feel like the indoor production last year had a better energy — perhaps because the walls could contain it.
Much of that energy at Breese Stevens seemed to escape into the sky. To be fair, The Sylvee is a much more intimate setting. Folks at the opposite end of the soccer field from the stage can feel removed from the action. Having attended several concerts at Breese Stevens, splurging for the VIP section is certainly worth the extra cost.
The Zen Diagram Tour continues through Oct. 10 with upcoming dates in Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Berkely, Los Angeles and Mexico City.
See full gallery of the night here!
If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.
Catch this tour:
Tue Oct 01 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena
Wed Oct 02 — Vancouver, BC — Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
Thu Oct 03 — Portland, OR — Moda Center
Sun Oct 06 — Berkeley, CA — The Greek Theatre *
Mon Oct 07 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Bowl
Thu Oct 10 — Mexico City, MX — Palacio De Los Deportes ^
* Non-Live Nation Date
^ Without Lucius
betwoon güncel giriş
May 6, 2025 at 6:21 pm
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & assist different users like its aided me. Good job.
ayuda TFM arquitectura
May 6, 2025 at 6:19 pm
You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart.
betwoon güncel giriş
May 6, 2025 at 5:55 pm
I like this web site very much, Its a very nice place to read and receive information.
Kennethdap
May 6, 2025 at 5:43 pm
пин ап казино: пинап казино – пин ап казино официальный сайт
winxbet güncel giriş
May 6, 2025 at 3:45 pm
I was just searching for this info for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your website. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Usually the top web sites are full of garbage.
Kennethdap
May 6, 2025 at 3:34 pm
vavada вход: vavada casino – вавада официальный сайт
Plant based diet
May 6, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Fantastic site. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks for your sweat!
Real estate José Ignacio
May 6, 2025 at 2:35 pm
Excellent web site. Plenty of helpful information here. I?¦m sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your sweat!
ElmerMek
May 6, 2025 at 2:04 pm
пин ап казино официальный сайт: pin up вход – пин ап казино
Factory Farms Cruelty
May 6, 2025 at 1:49 pm
Some genuinely superb info , Gladiolus I detected this. “Always be ready to speak your mind and a base man will avoid you.” by William Blake.
istanbulbahis giriş
May 6, 2025 at 1:46 pm
I like this blog very much, Its a very nice position to read and get info .
Zackaryprurl
May 6, 2025 at 1:39 pm
http://pinuprus.pro/# пин ап зеркало
winxbet güvenilir mi
May 6, 2025 at 1:27 pm
I think this web site holds some rattling excellent information for everyone :D. “America is not merely a nation but a nation of nations.” by Lyndon B. Johnson.
Zackaryprurl
May 6, 2025 at 12:58 pm
https://vavadavhod.tech/# вавада казино
ร้านเค้กวันเกิดใกล้ฉัน
May 6, 2025 at 12:26 pm
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
ElmerMek
May 6, 2025 at 12:22 pm
вавада: вавада казино – вавада
audifonos call center
May 6, 2025 at 11:42 am
I have learn a few good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you place to create this kind of great informative website.
ร้านเค้กวันเกิดใกล้ฉัน
May 6, 2025 at 11:16 am
Hey there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
RichardLorma
May 6, 2025 at 11:13 am
вавада официальный сайт vavada casino вавада казино
Kennethdap
May 6, 2025 at 10:01 am
вавада казино: vavada вход – vavada
trabajos hibridos
May 6, 2025 at 9:54 am
Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect website.
vegabet güncel giriş
May 6, 2025 at 8:34 am
Very interesting subject, appreciate it for posting. “Experience a comb life gives you after you lose your hair.” by Judith Stern.
RichardLorma
May 6, 2025 at 8:02 am
вавада зеркало вавада официальный сайт вавада
Kennethdap
May 6, 2025 at 8:02 am
вавада: вавада казино – вавада зеркало
Zackaryprurl
May 6, 2025 at 6:45 am
http://vavadavhod.tech/# vavada casino
gonebet
May 6, 2025 at 6:19 am
Thank you for some other informative website. Where else may I am getting that type of info written in such an ideal means? I have a challenge that I’m simply now running on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.
set de mancuernas
May 6, 2025 at 6:17 am
You could definitely see your expertise within the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.
Sustainable living
May 6, 2025 at 6:09 am
I have been checking out some of your articles and i can claim nice stuff. I will surely bookmark your website.
ElmerMek
May 6, 2025 at 6:00 am
pin up casino: pin up casino – pin-up
gonebet giriş adresi
May 6, 2025 at 5:55 am
Thanks for another informative blog. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.
twinplay güncel giriş
May 6, 2025 at 5:31 am
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
RichardLorma
May 6, 2025 at 4:36 am
pin-up casino giris pin-up casino giris pin up
Kennethdap
May 6, 2025 at 3:59 am
пин ап вход: pin up вход – пин ап казино
enobahis güncel giriş
May 6, 2025 at 3:57 am
Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific web site.
twinplay giriş
May 6, 2025 at 3:41 am
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for newbie blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.
enobahis giriş
May 6, 2025 at 3:31 am
I just couldn’t go away your site before suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual provide on your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently to check out new posts
Kennethdap
May 6, 2025 at 2:30 am
pinup az: pin up az – pinup az
RichardLorma
May 6, 2025 at 2:21 am
pin-up pin-up casino giris pin up azerbaycan
ElmerMek
May 6, 2025 at 2:18 am
pinup az: pin up azerbaycan – pin up
betticket giriş
May 6, 2025 at 1:55 am
I’ve recently started a web site, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work. “There can be no real freedom without the freedom to fail.” by Erich Fromm.
Zackaryprurl
May 6, 2025 at 1:46 am
http://pinupaz.top/# pinup az
ElmerMek
May 6, 2025 at 1:09 am
pin up вход: пинап казино – pin up вход
RichardLorma
May 5, 2025 at 11:09 pm
пин ап зеркало пинап казино пин ап вход
Kennethdap
May 5, 2025 at 10:34 pm
pin up: pin up – pin-up casino giris
enobahis güncel giriş
May 5, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Hello there, I found your web site by the use of Google while searching for a similar matter, your web site came up, it appears great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
ayuda PFG arquitectura
May 5, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Good day very cool blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?KI’m happy to seek out so many helpful info right here within the put up, we need work out extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
taksimbet güncel giriş
May 5, 2025 at 9:03 pm
You are a very clever individual!
Kennethdap
May 5, 2025 at 8:59 pm
pin up: pinup az – pin-up
RichardLorma
May 5, 2025 at 8:49 pm
вавада vavada вход вавада
Zackaryprurl
May 5, 2025 at 8:41 pm
http://pinupaz.top/# pin up az