In a very warm, dimly lit venue, The War on Drugs take to the stage for the second of their two night stay in Liverpool. The setup features numerous amps and minimal basic lighting along with homely rugs, ensuring that tonight’s spectacle is purely focused on the intricate, jammy nature of their songs. Is right. No frills, stripped back, all about the tunes is the philosophy that suits them down to the ground.
Through the rising heat frontman Adam Granduciel proceeds to lead the band through a setlist of rare tracks and fan favourites, even a request or two if we’re to believe this between song anecdotes. His lead propelled by ever present bassist David Hartley and drummer Charlie Hall who between them ensure that feet keep tapping, heads keep bopping and the sweat keeps pouring from start to finish.
Opening with Brothers, an unexpected deep cut (especially for those setlist.fm studiers in the audience) sets somewhat of an unpredictable tone for the evening. One that we later find ourselves likening to a victory lap of the bands career to date, including 2021’s I Don’t Live Here Anymore and 2017’s A Deeper Understanding.
Speaking of, can we speak about Up All Night? Ooof. The meticulous craftsmanship of the band and the keen attention to detail with layers of synths and guitars that seamlessly intertwine, creating that rich, atmospheric backdrop we know and love is *chefs kiss* and then some live. The song’s usually introspective and isolating quality instead nurtures a collective empathy within the crowd, as introspection is shared publicly. It’s the perfect example of a band transcending their work in the studio, they’re a totally different animal live and it’s the mark of a genuinely great band, though it’s not without competition on tonights track listing.
A personal favourite, Pain gives it a run for its money, its emotional weight heavier than ever, it showcases just how important Granduciel’s vocals are to the music, that intricacy and layering they’re so well regarded for is almost overpowered and put to one side by such emotional release in the vocal delivery, not to mention that solo towards the back end of the song.
I Don’t Wanna Wait provides a moment for minds to wander to what each of us longs for, its slower tempo allowing the audience to get lost in their own thoughts, shaped by Granduciel’s lyrics and the atmospheric soundscape. The song’s live rendition reminds us of the band’s uncanny skill in blending melancholy with subtle optimism.
Victim stands out as a powerhouse performance, that piercing piano riff driving the song outward into the venue that appears as just a pulsating mass of sound and light. The crowd’s reaction is electric, mirroring the song’s explosive nature. Contrastingly the themes of growth and transformation of Old Skin offer a moment of respite.
Red Eyes ignites the room once more, one of their most popular songs and for good reason. There is such a simmering energy to the song before it breaks out into a full on anthem, something Springsteen would be proud to put his name to. The crowd’s singing along to every word and erupting with each “woooo“.
Rarely pausing except for brief moments when Granduciel switches guitars, the band maintain an impressive momentum throughout the two-hour set that peaks with an outrageous version of Under the Pressure thanks to an extended instrumental section that blew minds, faces and smiles wide. It’s the perfectly crafted building of tension and subsequent release that when they’re at the best, they do better than anyone else. It’s a jammy journey which always clocks in around the ten minute mark. When it crescendos the sense of urgency in the crowd is so intense, it’s the biggest pay off of the night. A swell of synths and saxophones as if the weight of the world comes crashing down.
Taking full advantage of playing the same venue for two nights on the bounce, the band’s decision to completely change up the setlist is complimentary of their nature. Granduciel acknowledges that he’s aware of the many requests they receive to play deeper cuts and songs that haven’t had any airtime in a while. They happily oblige tonight and the crowd undoubtedly leave all the more happier for it, a few minutes past curfew and in the knowledge that they’ve just seen one of this generations greatest do it like few others can.
Go Places Do Things 