Matt Berninger and the Dessner brothers bring their literary indie rock to amphitheatres and theatres across North America and Europe. The definitive guide for fans.
The National have quietly become one of the most beloved live bands in the world — a status built not through spectacle but through the devastating emotional precision of their music and Matt Berninger's habit of wandering into the audience, red wine in hand, to deliver a baritone that feels like it's sung directly at you. Their 2026 touring campaign is extensive, taking in amphitheatre-sized rooms across North America and a headline European run that takes them back to the festivals and halls they first conquered a decade ago.
With their discography now spanning nine studio albums and a back catalogue that grows more essential with each passing year, The National have the luxury of building setlists that feel like complete emotional journeys rather than greatest hits collections. First Two Pages of Frankenstein (2023) and Laugh Track (2023) are both well-represented on this tour.
Amphitheatre Lawn: $45–65 — Great option for The National; lawn atmosphere fits the music perfectly
Reserved Seats: $60–120 — Covered seating at pavilion shows; worth the upgrade for comfort
Red Rocks: $75–120 — All reserved seating, always sells out months in advance. Act immediately.
Fan Club Presale: National-ist fan club offers presale access — join at thenatonal.com
Red Rocks and Forest Hills Stadium are the two shows most likely to sell out. Alexandra Palace in London will also move fast. The National are at a career peak in terms of audience loyalty — underestimate demand at your peril.
The National sets run 95–115 minutes — they are generous. Expect 22–26 songs across a two-act structure, with a proper encore. Matt Berninger's crowd wanders get longer as the show progresses; by the encore he's typically somewhere in the back of the room. The setlist rewards patience: the final 20 minutes of a National show are frequently transcendent.
"Bloodbuzz Ohio"
"Afraid of Everyone"
"England"
"Mr. November"
"Terrible Love"
"Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks"
"Rylan"
"Light Years"
"Sorrow"
"Slow Show"
"Conversation 16"
"I Need My Girl"
"Pink Rabbits"
"Squalor Victoria"
Pro tip: "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" is almost always the closing song, performed a cappella with the entire crowd singing along. It is one of the great moments in live music. Do not leave early.
Yes — with a long microphone cable, Berninger regularly leaves the stage and walks through the crowd, sometimes ending up at the back of the venue. This is a genuine feature of the show, not a gimmick.
Absolutely. If you know 'Bloodbuzz Ohio', 'Terrible Love', and 'Mr. November', you'll be surprised how many other songs feel immediately familiar. The National reward casual listeners and obsessives equally.
The National shows are not high-energy in a conventional sense — there's no pyro or mosh pit. The energy is emotional and immersive. Crowds tend to be attentive and enthusiastic rather than raucous. 'Mr. November' is the exception — that one gets loud.
Red Rocks is one of the world's great outdoor venues — a natural amphitheatre carved into red rock formations outside Denver. The National and Red Rocks is a perfect pairing. Bring layers; Colorado mountain evenings get cold fast even in July.
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