WORDS AND IMAGES BILLY SEAGRAVE
The War on Drugs with support from Warpaint
It’s a Wednesday night, I have travelled to the rather splendid Piece Hall in Halifax, to catch Philadelphia indie rock band The War on Drugs playing a sold-out show,
If you have not been to a concert here, you are missing out, Piece Hall, is a Grade I-listed building and a former cloth hall that dates to 1779 and It provides a stunning backdrop for tonight’s show.
War On Drugs tour follows the release of the band’s fifth studio album ‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore’ which was released in 2021.
Frontman Adam Granduciel formed The War on Drugs with Kurt Vile back in 2005, after they’d both recently moved to Philadelphia. Kurt Vile then left to pursue solo projects after the release of The War On Drug’s first album ‘Wagon Wheel Blues’ in 2008. Ironically just two nights earlier I had the pleasure of covering, Kurt Vile and his band The Violators in Manchester.
Tonight’s support act Warpaint was formed in Los Angeles back in 2004 and they are heading towards its twentieth anniversary,
Warpaint bring the summer is here vibes to the Piece Hall, taking to the stage on this beautiful evening, it was just the start that was needed.
Opening with, “Champion”, which seamlessly blended into “Undertow” Warpaint had made a statement of intent. Therea Wayman and Emily Kokal’s vocal prowess blend perfectly together. Jenny Lee Lindberg has an amazing carefree approach to the bass. “Love Is To Die”, and “I Am So Tired” see the crowd cutting loose and getting into the groove.
The final song of the set was “Disco//Very”, which allowed the drummer and heartbeat of the band Stells Mozgawa to let loose and flex her drumming skills. Warpaint has delivered a brilliant opening to what is anticipated to be a momentous evening.
SET LIST
1/ Champion
2/ Undertow
3/ Hips
4/ Bees
5/ Hard to Tell You
6/ Love Is to Die
7/ I’m So Tired
8/ New Song
9/ Disco//Very
As the sun was slowly setting the band arrived on stage 15 minutes earlier than advertised, this was to accommodate the 2 hours and 15-minute set that they were about to perform. The courtyard is packed to the rafters as they take to the stage, With Adam Granduciel (vocals, guitar) were David Hartley (bass guitar), Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez (saxophone, keyboards), Anthony LaMarca (guitar, keyboards) and Eliza Hardy Jones (keyboards, percussion and backing vocals), and Adam Granducial looks the consummate American rock frontman
They started their set with “Pain”, and moved straight into “Oceans Of Darkness” and “An Ocean In Between The Waves”, both have a real solid rock vein running through them, Drummer Charlie Hall is as on point and one of the best percussionists I have seen in a long time, and as with all the best drummers he had the animation to match, the band are tight and fully in sync, the melodies are free flowing the guitar work is exceptional and the songs kept coming. “Red Eyes”, and a cover of “Play It All Night Long”, see the crowd in their element.
The show is immersive and blends their signature rock and roll sound with extended instrumental solos and ambient sounds, some songs stretching over ten minutes, which allows the band to showcase their instrumental prowess and build a powerful emotional connection with the audience. Adam Granduciel is warm and humorous and has an affinity with the people in front of him.
As the set begins to come to an end the overwhelming feeling is I don’t want this to end, “I Don’t Live Here Anymore”, has that big Boston, Bon Jovi feel, a real 80s vibe. “Occasional Rain”, lets Granduciel’s vocal shine, the final offering was a cover of The Waterboy’s, “Strange Boat”.
Tonight’s performance has been superb, a full 2 hours and 15 minutes of wonderous perfection, intense, full-bodied sounds that draw the listener in, letting them lose themselves in the ethereal sounds and magical ambience of the moment. watching The War and Drugs live is more than just a concert; it’s an emotional journey into the band’s music and a unique experience. The band engages and captivates their audience with their signature sound, and extended instrumental solos, turning each live gig into an unforgettable and transcendental experience for fans.
For me, it has been a fantastic few days covering the founding fathers of this great music and band.
SET LIST
1/ Pain
2/ Oceans of Darkness
3/ An Ocean in Between the Waves
4/ I Don’t Wanna Wait
5/ Victim
6/ Strangest Thing
7/ Harmonia’s Dream
8/ Red Eyes
9/ In Chains
10/ Play It All Night Long
11/ Living Proof
12/ Come to the City
13/ Eyes to the Wind
14/ Under the Pressure
15/ I Don’t Live Here Anymore
16/ Occasional Rain
17/ Strange Boat
(The Waterboys cover)
FOLLOW THE WAR ON DRUGS
FOLLOW WARPAINT
