Zeds Dead at the Freedom Mobile Arch

Zeds Dead at the Freedom Mobile Arch, September 26, 2026

The line outside Freedom Mobile Arch started forming well before doors on Saturday night. Fans arrived in mesh, fur, glitter, Zeds Dead jerseys and assorted neon. Some carried light-up totems. Others brought spinning LED toys that flickered through the dusk. There was a slight chill in the air on this autumn night. Still, it felt like the first day of a summer festival.

The Toronto duo formed in 2009. Their name comes from a line in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction: "Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead." Dylan Mamid (aka DC) and Zachary Rapp-Rovan (aka Hooks) got their start in Toronto's underground scene. They hosted weekly Bassmentality nights, which began in the basement of 751, a Toronto bar. Over time, they built a loyal following through touring, a strong online presence and their own label, Deadbeats, which turns ten this year. They have named this tour “A Journey of a Lifetime” which was the name of their first single, 17 years ago.

On Saturday night, opener Deathpact primed the crowd with shattering dubstep. Fans were eager for what came next. The lights went out, the crowd screamed, and the first bass note dropped. When the lights came back on, they revealed Zeds Dead in their signature black and white suits and sunglasses. Behind them stood a massive screen that stretched across the stage. Their DJ decks sat inside a 1950s-style sci-fi spaceship control bridge.

Zeds Dead's style is wholly their own. They jump from genre to genre, but deep bass and dubstep always take centre stage. They love to pull in older songs and vocal samples you wouldn't expect in a DJ set. On "Sweet Memories," from their latest album, Ann Peeble's vocals from "I Can't Stand the Rain" cut over dubstep beats. On "Pure Imagination," Gene Wilder's vocals from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory blend with John Lennon's "Imagine" in a euphoric electronic track.

The visuals followed each turn of the show. Surreal animations played alongside clips from the songs and movies being sampled. When the intensity called for it, intricate lasers beamed across the crowd, to the fans' delight.

The venue danced all night. Die-hard fans headbanged at the front rail, almost shaking it loose. Groups danced in circles further back. Spinning lights cut through the haze. Everyone was having the best time.

With everyone dancing in these elaborate costumes, a particular spider costume malfunctioned. The web came loose and spread across the people nearby. Strands ended up on shoulders, hats and outstretched arms. Paired with the smoke, lasers and cheering crowd, it made quite the fitting visual.

They closed their set with "Lost You," a danceable fan-favourite. When the track faded out, the crowd stayed put, still buzzing. For one night in late September, Zeds Dead brought the spirit of a music festival to the urban grounds of East Vancouver.