The War On Drugs

The Philadelphia rock outfit, formed in 2005, includes frontman Adam Granduciel, David Hartley on bass, keyboardist Robbie Bennett, drummer Charlie Hall, Jon Natchez on saxophone and Anthony LaMarca on guitar.

Granduciel grappled with what’s become a much-publicized bout of anxiety and depression during the writing and recording of the band’s third album, Lost In The Dream, but the turmoil paid off.

Spin called it “a spectacular example of channeling personal catharsis into great art,” and Metacritic named it the most critically acclaimed album of 2014 after it landed on 54 year-end top 10 lists and was named first on 13 of them.

The Windish Agency’s Ryan Craven started working with The War On Drugs a little while before the release.

“Part of the band’s live charm is their ability to replicate the sprawling, spacious feel of the record,” he told Pollstar. “That’s not a trait that works well with being confined to a short support set. Also, they’ve expanded from a four-piece to a six-piece so, again, fitting six guys on stage with all their gear doesn’t really mesh well with a support slot.”

Festival dates and tours of clubs and theaters, including two sold-out nights at The Fillmore in San Francisco, followed.

“The band has such an expansive awareness of music history that seeing them slide in that room and fit in so well was very satisfying,” Craven said.

The War On Drugs will play targeted short runs around most of the major festivals this summer plus larger shows in “some very nice rooms” to round out the year.