The War On Drugs Welcome Craig Finn and Matt Lowell During A Drugcember to Remember in Philadelphia
Photo Credit: Shawn Brackbill
After a two-year-lapse, The War On Drugs continued the tradition of their annual holiday concert series, A Drugcember to Remember, which directly benefits The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. The first night of music occurred on Dec. 19 and continued last night at the 250-person capacity Johnny Brenda’s venue in the band’s hometown of Philadelphia. During last night’s performance, the Adam Granduciel-led ensemble welcomed guest sit-ins from Craig Finn and Lo Moon’s Matt Lowell.
The Dec. 20 concert started with a title track off the band’s 2022 released LP I Don’t Live Here Anymore, and was followed by a take on originals “Brothers” and “Pain.” In continuation of the night’s initial frame, The War On Drugs ran through “An Ocean in Between the Waves” and “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” before bringing out their first guest, Lowell, who assisted on “Victim” and stuck around for a take on The Waterboys’ 1988 number, “Strange Boat.”
Lowell left the stage after the cover song, and The War On Drugs continued their set with a pair of tunes off A Deeper Understanding before capping the set on “Harmonia’s Dream,” which opened their Dec. 19 show. After returning from set break, the ensemble took the stage once more, only this time, they welcomed Finn.
Inspired by their guest, the Finn-penned “Blankets” open the second frame. Then, covers came with Warren Zevon’s “Playing It All Night Long” and John Hiatt’s “Walk On.” Next, Finn exited the stage, leaving the billed band to deliver a selection of originals before capping their set with a take on Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band’s “Against the Wind,” which saw Lowell and Finn return to the stage on the night’s final number.
After last night’s concert, The War On Drugs will return to Johnny Brenda’s for their final stand of A Drugcember to Remember this evening. Tonight’s concert is sold out.
Scroll down to see last night’s complete setlist.
The War On Drugs
Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia
Dec. 20, 2022
Set I: I Don’t Live Here Anymore, Brothers, Pain, An Ocean in Between the Waves, I Don’t Wanna Wait, Victim+, Strange Boat (The Waterboys cover)+, Nothing to Find, Strangest Thing, Harmonia’s Dream
Set II: Blankets (Craig Finn cover)*, Playing It All Night Long (Warren Zevon cover)*, Walk On (John Hiatt)*, Red Eyes, Living Proof, Eyes to the Wind, Under the Pressure, In Reverse, Come to the City, Again the Wind (Bob Segar & the Silver Bullet Band cover)+*
Notes:
+ With Matt Lowell
* With Craig Finn
