We had been waiting a long time for a solo show in CDMX by the huge Philadelphia band, The War on Drugs.and finally we were made to see them as a main act neither more nor less than in the Metropolitan Theater in the mere center of the city.
With Sensational Belafonte as exciting starters, Adam Granduciel and company took the stage of the legendary venue of Mexico City after nine at night, to marvel at his live presentation.
The War on Drugs was launched a spectacular setlist for a special night
“We have waited a long time to do this show”Adam Granduciel came to say towards the end of the concert, and it is that yesterday was a memorable night for all fans of The War on Drugs. Their first concert this year was in our city, and we noticed the band particularly energetic and moved on stage.something that his frontman had already told us in an interview.
With more than two hours of show, lhe seven musicians made us sing, dance, cry and scream with a setlist that visited four of The War on Drugs albums. For the most part, the songs of the magnificent I Don’t Live Here Anymore they dominated the night, and were surprisingly the most listened to despite being the most recent of their albums.
“Living Proof”, según Adam, got one of the best reactions the band has had to the song. The quiet ballad had the effect a Metropolitan Theater illuminated with cell phones and, without a doubt, it was a moving moment during the concert of The War on Drugs in CDMX.
“I Don’t Wanna Wait” followed by “Victim” were a withering combo of the captivating power of The War on Drugs.who at no time left the Mexican public silent, and on the contrary, they played sixteen songs that provoked the voices of the fans over and over again.
With a two-twenty hour show, The War on Drugs more than fulfilled what we expect of them, and we did not lack for any song. Opting for a sparse but quite emotional interaction, Adam Granduciel dedicated himself to telling the Mexican public that he loved them over and over again. This allowed them to play as many songs as possible, with extended versions and many more guitar solos than in the studio versions.
The War on Drugs demonstrated a great duality between past and present
The wave of nostalgia for the combination of eighties rock, together with current instruments and production, result in a unique version of The War on Drugs to see live, which takes up the intensity of the great rock bandsalong with effects on new psychedelic synthesizers and ends with the inclusion of live metal under the execution of Jon Natchez.
It was fascinating to see Adam Granduciel parading at least ten guitars, and squeezing them as hard as he can on stage, taking advantage of all its capabilities. On songs like “Under the Pressure,” “Pain” and “Thinking of a Place,” the War on Drugs frontman played two guitar solos as he paced the stage, tranced under spotlights.
With four stations of synths and keyboards, The War on Drugs is enveloped in an atmosphere of dreamy soundsand it’s amazing how the seven members master their instruments and their role to complement each other. Eliza Hardy Jones was marvelous on backing vocals, plus she at times played keyboards and guitar at the same time.
The central element in the concert of The War on Drugs was called Adam Granduciel and most of the show revolves around him. With up-tempo guitar solos and virtuoso feel, Adam ripped the crowd’s screams, while he was strumming the guitar in turn.
Improvisations and song extensions are what the band used the most to keep us expectant of what was to come.. Some of the most popular songs, like “Under the Pressure” or “Harmonia’s Dream”, had an extended intro with impressive synth progressions, eventually bursting from the crowd’s excitement.
Responsive guitars, solid bass, countless arrangements, and an exceptional drummer in Charlie Hall, are part of the elements that make The War On Drugs the bandota that it is live.
Mastery of the War on Drugs setting in a spectacular venue
The War on Drugs abrió con “Nothing to Find” between a sea of purple and yellow lights, as if we were in a dream, and the lighting decisions were another great success of the band. Multiple color combinations, at times rainbow lighting and even lights focusing on Adam in the solos, made the audiovisual experience extremely enjoyable.
On one side of the band they have a vertical trunk illuminated with images, posters and clippings, surely of important elements for the members of The War on Drugsbut this gave the show an even more retro effect, like an anchor that the members have to turn to see.
On a stage full of instruments, Adam plays with his multiple ampsby sticking to them during the solos so that you can hear how they react when the guitar is directly approached.
With an exemplary play of light, The War on Drugs coordinated their songs with lighting, in drum kicks and synth progressions. In some songs, like “Thinking of a Place”, the lights moved along with the music, and it is that a band that transports us to dreams, this element played an important role.
Adam Granduciel reciprocated how good the band looked on stage to the audience with a “They look beautiful. Thanks for coming.” The prolific lyricist feels the messages of his songs when he sings them, not to mention what he expresses with his guitar in each solo.
A release was felt in sharing the feelings con The War on Drugs
It was a very liberating feeling to see The War on Drugs share thoughtful sentiments in front of so many people.and we saw tears and laughter as a reaction from the public in a night full of intense emotions. Maybe that’s the band’s secret: speak to themselves and resonate with others, with captivating melodies and synthesizer atmospheres that enveloped us for more than two hours.
After going through the worries, the moments of loneliness, anxiety and the nuance with hope, Adam said goodbye with a “we love”before playing “Burning”. Thus ended the concert of The War on Drugs at the Metropolitan Theater of CDMX, with a lot of feelings on the surface.
