Bonnaroo Standout: The War on Drugs
I love the War on Drugs because the piano lines in all of their songs sound like the outro of "Layla." I love the War on Drugs because lead singer Adam Granduciel is always singing about the wind, the freeway by the harbor, a raging storm, or some sun-sunk, picturesque location ripped straight out of a John Steinbeck novel. I love the War on Drugs because they're the kind of band you can bond with your dad over when you both finally admit to each other that you smoke pot. I love the War on Drugs because they hit squarely upon an emotional center within me, something I can best describe as hopeful reminiscence. I love the War on Drugs because they make me feel present and nostalgic all at once.
The War on Drugs took to Bonnaroo's Which Stage early on Saturday evening fresh off of signing their first major label deal with Atlantic Records. Up until now, they've blasted through a massive year-plus of world touring following the release of 2014's absurdly good Lost in the Dream. Maybe I'm just over contextualizing it, but their set felt in some way celebratory of all this.
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