The War on Drugs in Brixton

I got tickets for this gig at close to the last moment, by which time the standing area downstairs at Brixton was sold out. So I got one unreserved seating ticket for the balcony. A sign of my future maybe as I expect at some point I will find standing at gigs too much. But I got there in good time to pick up a seat at the front of the balcony, and had a pretty decent view actually.

Support came from a New York band Amen dunes. Rather earnest trio, but at least their sound was somewhere in the same ballpark, or at least in the same mood, as the War on Drugs. 

So on to the main act. The War on Drugs have been described as a cross between Folk and Prog Rock. An unlikely crossbreed, but its a fair description really. The result though is no mongrel.

I should also say that like their support they are an American indie band. I am starting to find a whole host of American bands I like now. They tend to be characterized by a layered sound, as you tend to get from a large band playing many instruments - the archetype perhaps being the admittedly Canadian Arcade Fire.

This lot are a sextet, as you can see from my lofty vantage point.

Lead vocalist Adam Granduciel sings rather in the manner of Bob Dylan (but obviously better - few people can sing worse), and that is what particularly brings the folk feel to the songs. The prog rock element comes in part from the guitars, in part the slightly meandering nature of the music, but saved generally by the insistent rhythm of the drums which keeps the tracks going at pace rather than slowly winding round like prog rock bands do - a sort of aural doodling. So these are complicated, textured songs - no three minute singles, but nevertheless no self-indulgent dirges either.

Overall, a very talented band whose stuff sounds great on CD (check out Lost in the Dream), but also sound good live. And a very attractive and imaginative, although simple, light show to boot.

Adam Granduciel

  

Robbie Bennett

Jon Natchez - excellent on sax

Charlie hall