You never were going to change your mind, were you, Emily? You just sat back, took it all for you, there was nothing for me; I didn't mean to prove that all I can do is lose
Next time that you need me, don't call me up, Emily; I'm tired of your lies and your cheating ways with me; And every time you go, please don't let me know
Emily, you still live inside of me; And, Emily, you are the fire in my tree; So if you should fall, please don't call; And next time you write, I won't stay up all night; 'cause Emily you, just look at you - you're a tragedy
You never were going to change you mind, were you, Emily? You just sat back, took it all for you, and nothing was there for me; I didn't mean to prove that all I'm good for is to lose
Emily, you still live inside of me; And, Emily, you are the fire in my tree; So next time you fall, please don't call; And next time you write, I won't stay up all night; 'cause Emily you, just look at you - you're a tragedy
You never were going to change you're mind were you, anyway
After Sophie went to an "Afternoon Tea", with Margaret and my sisters, the two of us went to this gig at about 7pm. I got tickets for the 'Black & White Lounge' - expecting to be able to get a meal but no luck! We (I) got something from a kiosk inside (hot dog and chips) - Sophie was still OK from her "Afternoon Tea"!
Lo Moon was the supporting act - Sophie thought them good, I was indifferent.
Here's a review of the gig ....
The War On Drugs – First Direct Arena, Leeds: Live Review
The War On Drugs bring their latest show to Leeds in support of their latest record: I Don’t Live Here Anymore
Having swelled their output with another fine album in the form of I Don’t Live Here Anyway (our review here), The War On Drugs displayed their fine run of records with a spellbinding performance in Leeds.
Support from LA’s Lo Moon was perfect in the style of music for the
audience, and the reciprocal love between the two bands evident from
countless acknowledgments of each other throughout both bands’ sets. In
support of their latest record, A Modern Life, Lo Moon displayed a high
level of musicianship. Each musician showcased multi-talents on
different instruments throughout the set. Particular highlights came in
the Talk Talk styled I Tried To Make You My Own from their self-titled
debut LP as well as a slew of newer songs.
Raincoats holds a hint of Unforgettable Fire U2 and tracks like Stop
has flecks of Steven Wilson smattered in its DNA. Sporting a Leeds
United shirt, to the behest of a minority in the White Rose county,
singer Matt Lowell talks of his best friend being a Leeds fan. It is
just one aspect of a set that ensures a good rapport with the audience
is built. Throughout the set, as the crowd grows, Lo Moon win over
everyone and will undoubtedly leave with a raft of new fans. Modern Life
evokes imagery of LA’s skyline and a rousing and emphatic rendition of
Loveless that closes the set leaves the crowd suitably ready for the
main attraction.
I Don’t Live Here Anymore forms the vast majority of The War On Drugs
setlist however Adam Granduciel and co. pace a setlist perfectly with
older material that means the crowd in Leeds grow raucous throughout
their 130-minute set. As the set progresses, there is a loose feel to
the setlist that feels as if they are playing songs to suit the mood of
the crowd. Granduciel acknowledges shouts from the crowd, particularly
Eyes To The Wind, however it doesn’t make the cut.
Whilst Eyes To The Wind doesn’t make the cut, there is plenty of
material from 2014’s breakout album, Lost In The Dream. In Reverse and
the Springsteen infused Burning are received rapturously but the crowd
response for emphatic An Ocean Between The Waves, Red Eyes and Under The
Pressure are something else.
Under The Pressure makes a claim for the greatest War On Drugs track
ever. The crowd are vociferous as they bounce, sing, cheer, clap, throw
beer and echo melodies in chants even after the song has finished. This
is a proper atmosphere and one that so many have longed for after the
most tumultuous of years. It is truly and honour to be in such a place
again witnessing a community like this loving live music.
Cuts from A Deeper Understanding like Pain and Strangest Thing
(dedicated to Lo Moon) help the crowd along with familiarity and several
pieces from 2011’s Slave Ambient are lovely surprises. Brothers is
dedicated to Noel and Liam, although we’re quite a way from their roots.
Baby Missiles drives hard and Come To The City completes a trio of
songs from the earlier LP.
I Don’t Live Here Anymore might be a newer LP but there is so much
love for the album in the crowd. The formula might not be far removed
from previous records but the ability to make vast songs sound intimate
and heartwarming is a skill that The War On Drugs keep honing and
perfecting. The title track of the album is effervescent with heavy
backing vocals and I Don’t Wanna Wait will be an anthemic staple of any
set going forward. An undoubted highlight of the new material is
Harmonia’s Dream – the synth-led opening is extended as the crowd clap
along enthusiastically. It is another song that will begged to be
included in the future.
On stage, the septet are tight. Granduciel is surrounded by a vast
amount of pedals to help create The War On Drugs trademark sounds. There
is plenty of patter from the stage offering thanks and love to all
quarters. “How we doing everybody? Thanks for coming,” chirps Granduciel; “nowhere else we’d rather be on a Saturday night!”
Even as the openings to Pain and Brothers are a little awry and are
restarted, everything is passed of with joviality that speaks volumes
for the relationship built between band and audience.
“This is the best day I’ve had in four months,” jokes
Granduciel about not seeing the sun for four months – it was a
particularly balmy day in Leeds. There is also a nod to ‘the social’
which one can only imagine is a shout to one of Leeds’ finest venues –
the Brudenell Social Club – where the band played in 2011. Band
introductions are dropped in throughout the set to acknowledge the
skilled musicians that make this really good band great.
'Thank yous' are never far from the tongue of Granduciel – and it is
with this that we fully concur. The lighting crew showcased a wonderful
and mesmerising light show that helped enhance the show, and the staff
and security at Leeds Arena were all superb (at least in our
interactions). These people are the unsung heroes of the live music
community and they deserve all of our praise.
As the set draws to the close, Granduciel recalls meeting two fans
outside his hotel in Leeds and he apologises for being ‘short’ with them
as he had just woken up! Owing to them being ‘super nice’ and making a
small request, a brilliant version of The Waterboy’s A Pagan Place
precedes the closer of Thinking Of A Place. The War On Drugs play right
up to curfew without a break/encore. “That’s all the time we have folks,”
says Granduciel as the two hour-plus set closes. The time flew by and
showed why The War On Drugs are really a band to treasure.
Well, the comedown here was easy Like the arrival of a new day But a dream like this gets wasted Without you
Under the pressure Is where we are Under the pressure Yeah, it's where we are babe
You're the only one Like an illusion
When it all breaks down and we're runaways Standing in the wake of our pain And we stare straight into nothing But we call it all the same You were raised on a promise Found that over time Better come around to the new way Or watch as it all breaks down here Under the pressure
Well the break down here Stole it all the way across I gotta talk downhill Stranded on When you come here and I'm wasted Lying on a field, dancin' in the rain Hidin' in the back, loosening my grip Wading in the water Just trying not to crack, under the pressure Yeah, it's where we are babe Under the pressure
