Sit Down With Sam

While I’m disappointed to be missing the Christmas Carols and all the other exciting events happening in the Burdekin this weekend, I’m excited to be travelling to Brisbane to see probably my favourite band ever.

I first discovered The War On Drugs in 2014; I still remember helping Dad in the shed one weekend where I would often hijack his ancient wireless to listen to triple j, the choice radio station at the time.

A song called ‘Red Eyes’ came on; with a driving beat, floating synths and an epic guitar riff, I was entranced.

I continued to dig into The War On Drugs; the 2014 album for which ‘Red Eyes’ was the lead single, ‘Lost In The Dream’, became a favourite, filled with mesmerising guitar work, atmospheric synthesisers and beautifully written rock songs.

Then came 2017’s ‘A Deeper Understanding’, an album that I probably enjoyed more than it’s 2014 predecessor, although I consider both perfect records.

It was upon the release of ‘A Deeper Understanding’ that I got my first opportunity to see The War On Drugs live – they headlined Laneway Festival in 2017, sitting atop a stacked lineup that convinced me and my friends to buy tickets almost immediately.

It remains one of my favourite live music experiences and still gives me goosebumps to this day.

The songs that I’d grown to love so dearly were so perfectly recreated on the stage where lead singer and guitarist Adam Granduciel’s talents with the guitar were well and truly on display.

The band announced an Australian tour in May, their first since 2018, and I could barely believe it.

The opportunity to see one of the best bands in the world (my opinion) at the Riverstage with some of the best friends a bloke could ask for (fact) doesn’t come by every day, so I farewell the Burdekin for the weekend and hope to return with stories of an epic evening of live music.