While earning a few critically-acclaimed albums, and gaining some name recognition, The War On Drugs speedily gains momentum on their journey towards the top of Rock. Now, continuing this momentum, the band hits the road on their extensive 2017 tour. This Thursday night, the prominent group brings their extraordinary live performance that has such high demand, that the show has been relocated to the Aragon Ballroom from the Riviera Theatre.

The War On Drugs is an American indie-rock band that originally started as an idea, dreamt-up by two music lovers at a Philadelphia party. When Adam Granduciel moved from Oakland, California to Philadelphia, he met former member, Kurt Vile. After playing and recording music with each other, their common interests in music soon transformed into more. Thus, the early form of The War On Drugs was born. After adding a few members, the talented group of musicians released their debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues in 2008.

While the troop was originally created by Granduciel and Vile, various members have come and gone over the years. However, they now have a consistent lineup and have developed into the matured band that we know and love today. The War On Drugs is now made up of the front man Adam Granducial (vocals/guitar), David Hartley (bass), Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez (saxophone/keyboards) and Anthony LaMarca (guitar). After a small hiatus, this new group began their resurgence in April of 2017 after signing to Atlantic Records. Soon thereafter, they released their single “Thinking of a Place” that later appeared on their most recent album, A Deeper Understanding.

From Wagonwheel Blues to A Deeper Understanding, The War On Drugs has never stopped developing their sound. The leader and vocalist Granduciel loves to collect musical equipment and experiment with it in the studio. The Fader describes them as a band that has “…spent the past decade discovering a seemingly infinite number of new ways to expand their sound, adding layer after layer of sprawling instrumentation while ever losing the heartland honesty that keeps the whole enterprise rooted to a soulful core.” (The Fader). This is the main reason why the band has an ever-evolving sound that is both melodic as well as lyrical.

Each member has been influenced by different artists, giving them a wide musical background. From Nirvana to George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix to Fleetwood Mac, these many different influences have helped create the smooth, rhythmic, and layered sound that often has listeners reminiscing of 1980’s greats like Bruce Springsteen. Tracks such as the reverb soaked “Pain”, the dreamy and expansive “Holding On” as well as the jam from Lost In A Dream “Red Eyes” are all songs to watch out for during their energy-filled performance.

There are few that are as creative and honest as The War On Drugs. Their layered and intricate instrumentation live is an experience in itself, and can now be seen by Chicagoans this Thursday night at the Aragon Ballroom.

Aragon Ballroom

October 19^th @ 8 PM

Tickets start @ $41

For more info click here