War on Drugs at the O2

Any trudge to the O2 is a pain. Transport is a pain, food and drink exorbitant, wifi poor, security unfriendly. But at least its remoteness means it can have a later curfew - 11pm. But that also means a very late night by the time one finds one's way home. So all in all an act has got to be good to make me want to come here. And the War on Drugs are that good.

So four of us going to this one, but as regularly happens I am first to arrive. By a long margin. And when it is empty you get a feel for the vastness of the place. Eerily vast....

When the support arrived it was an LA band called Lo Moon. A guitar band well matched with War on Drugs. And clearly very able - this was no new band. They had experience.

By the end of Lo Moon we had swelled to three. But never got beyond that as security wouldn't let our fourth member pass down the side "as it was too full" which was absolute nonsense as there was more room in the corner we were situated in than I can ever remember. This really was too big a venue for the War on Drugs and the gig appeared far from a sell out. Lead vocalist, and guitarist, Adam Granduciel kept saying it was his dream to play here. Well it wouldn't have been his dream if he had to get there by public transport!!!

However, I have to say it was so worth the trip. War on Drugs are possibly the closest to a prog rock my taste will reach. The guitar work is just superlative. And Adam has a very pleasant voice. The whole effect is a delight. The set felt very long, but in a good way, ie it really was long. Many of their songs go on for a serious time. This included an insanely good version of Under the Pressure which extended over 12 minutes. There are no three minute thrashes with this band. Nor do you come to see them for their stage antics - there are none - nor sex appeal - unless hirsute rotundity is your thing. Really it is 100% about the sound. And after this I felt they might just be my favourite band.

The gig was about half and half old stuff and tracks from their new album, I Don't Live Here Anymore, although they finished with a Neil Young cover, Like a Hurricane. And used up all their allotted time to 11pm on the dot. We got our money's worth.

Have never seen this before - guitarist singing backing vocals through his mask. The saxophonist was also wearing a mask except for when he was playing, which was about half the time. So not sure what protection he thought he was getting (or giving) at the back of the stage.

No real chance of snatching a photo of Adam's face. Just a swirling mass of hair!