The War on Drugs

Grace is a highly underrated quality for a rock band to possess. When compared to other, more universal assets like rawness, volume and ability it might seem a little forgettable, but a band playing to the absolute best of their ability and making it look as natural as breathing can be the genesis of some truly unforgettable moments of live music. Not one band that I’ve seen sums this sight up as well as Philadelphia indie rockers The War on Drugs, and when it comes to their sold out show at the Koko, Camden’s most ornate venue, most traditional phrases describing a well played gig seem too violent to sum it up. They didn’t “smash it”, they didn’t “blow the roof off”, they didn’t “destroy the place”, they were far better than that. Make no mistake, Adam Granduciel and co played up a storm, their psychedelia inflected country-rock filling every inch of this beautiful venue but the atmosphere was unlike any gig I’ve been to in a very long time. The crowd lost themselves in the music in a way that didn’t lead to mindless moshing and crowd-surfing, the 1400 people were enraptured, moved by the music, not to the music. It was an experience as beautiful as it was exciting and anyone with a passing interest in this life affirming lunacy we call Rock and Roll should seek it out as soon as possible.

Possibly the best gig I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing live. The guitars, the bass, the drums, the saxophone, the lights, the overall setting and the 'psychedelic' lightshow combining it all together adds to an unforgettable evening.
Not only that, but this ground-breaking indie-rock deliverer also played around two hours, non-stop, building up until the last two epic songs.
Let's talk about one of those: I was literally petrified during their performance of the soothing song Thinking Of A Place. Adam Granduciel gripped me with his euphony, all mixed with the bands grand performance and overall constant change yet stability. Every little tune that changes the song, hits you like a lovearrow, yet delivers a whole range of different emotional effects, ranging from excitement to love, from pain to deep pleasure and from melancholia to confidence.
If you ever get the chance, don't miss out on these boys, they're here to save our music industry.
X b

Last night was mind blowing! Adam is absolutely brilliant as both a guitarist and a songwriter. The lyrics are raw, brutally honest emotion, intimately romantic storytelling at it's best. You're pushed further into the abyss with Adams face melting guitar strokes, and phenomenal drum beats. Yes, they played 'Lost in the Dream' (which I know every note), but it was enhanced with such refinement and nuance that I left the concert with a crush on both Adam AND the band, feeling utter joy and contentment. They are so tightly woven together you feel as if each note is planned and featured. Between music and lyrics, they evoke every emotion within you. Dylanesque voice, Jimmy Page/Eric Clapton guitar skills, charismatic stage presence. SEE THEM.

I'm not sure I've seen such an exquisite level of professionalism in a band. Either way, their music is transporting, well, painfully obvious considering their new album, to a dream. Words can't make The War on Drugs justice. Granduciel's guitar game is magnificent and mind blowing. What was fascinating to me is that on the morning of the day of the show I woke up literally lost in the sweetest dream. I am not kidding, it was such a curious day, I'll never forget it. How hypnotizing their music had been when I realized I was the last one clapping when people had already started to leave. I left the show drugged out, with the amplifiers ringing in my head for hours afterwards.

Massey Hall Sat.night I went to show and really enjoyed it. He is a good singer and great guitarist. He played several hits and a cover song as well. These guys are seasoned performers and the audience were clapping and enjoying the show. I miss guitar being part of the music scene so the 6 member band, filled that void for me.
Great show and would recommend fans to see.

p.s.
I saw future islands here recently here, from the moment they hit the stage the audience gave them a standing ovation and sang cheered and clapped the whole show. I was amazed at how the audience showed there love for this band...another must see band. They played hit after hit.

A pleasant evening with nice music but nothing new that we older attendees hadn't seen before. Except maybe the use of a bass clarinet which was fun. They always sound great. Overall I thought there was too little space in the music especially when three keyboards were used

The set started modestly with three very similar songs but the band moved up a notch thereafter and by the end of the main set I was ready for more. They didn't take much encouragement to return to the stage for more and I'm pleased they did as this was their best music

It will be interesting to see where they go from here

Awesome night!
The band has been playing over 2 hours most part (if not all) of their last work "Lost in the dream" and some other songs.
All along they have been spreading feelings and emotions to the audience through their music. Playing intense, playing right, playing long, playing good.
I discovered the Live Music Hall for the occasion, and it was probably the best choice given the audience of such a band; it was large enough, a lot of people was in but it was not overly crowded, with 4 bars and an open air patio.
Probably the best concert I have been to so far this year.

I already enjoy the War on Drugs recorded music, but the live show is another level again. Went with three mates to the show in Central Melbourne and we all felt we had witnessed something special. It was the best concert in years (and we go to a LOT).

They must play together all the time because they're tighter than a bank vault yet the passion and the freshness shine through. One gets the sense that the War on Drugs are arriving, that a breakthrough is imminent.

If you get the chance to hear them live, don't miss the War on Drugs. Memorable.

Adam Granduciel and The War on Drugs put on a driving,well-tuned (a new guitar ever song) that has the audience moving for the first 70 minutes before breaking into the softer ballads. Kudos to the guy singing along with the band, standing next to me - he's spent some time on Genius. The lighting seemed to be predominantly from the back and the sides so there were few good videos to be recorded, however, you don't want to miss his guitar solos or interactions with the saxophone player. Nothing like that since Bruce & Clarence...

A really really good show. They are pretty flawless live. We saw Kurt Vile (a former member of The War on Drugs) last year and he has such a terrible stage presence that we actually walked out of the show (something I’ve never done before) so I was a little worried this would be a similar show but they proved within the first minute that it was not. So so good, go see them if you like to watch incredible musicians play.