Philadelphia Rock Band The War on Drugs Returns Home for Charity Holiday Concert Series
The War on Drugs, the Grammy-winning rock band formed in Philadelphia 20 years ago, is set to reunite with its hometown fans this December for a trio of benefit shows at iconic Fishtown venue Johnny Brenda's. The "Drugcember to Remember" series, which was once an annual tradition from 2018 to 2022, has been revived after a hiatus due to international tours and band members living in different parts of the country.
Frontman Adam Granduciel explained that this year's shows were made possible after months of planning. "We wanted to do it last year, but it was just tough to get everybody – plus our extended band, which is part of our core crew," he said. The band's critically acclaimed albums, including "Slave Ambient", "Lost in the Dream", and "A Deeper Understanding", have garnered a devoted fan base for their expansive blend of psychedelic and heartland sounds.
The War on Drugs will take to the stage at Johnny Brenda's on December 18-20, with tickets going on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Proceeds from the shows will benefit the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization that directs charitable donations to support public school students. Granduciel chose this cause after being recommended by a friend who works there.
The band's connection to Johnny Brenda's dates back to its early days in 2006, when they played their first show at the venue on the second floor. The bar had just debuted its 250-capacity music venue, and the band was gaining local buzz for sets at other venues like North Star Bar. Other notable acts that performed at Johnny Brenda's that night included Jack Rose, Bardo Pond, and Meg Baird of Espers.
The War on Drugs has held a special place in the heart of Granduciel, who still considers Johnny Brenda's as a tribute to the band's humble origins. "It was just like our little corner venue that had just opened in our little neighborhood where we could just try stuff out," he said.
Granduciel also teased plans to test out new material at the shows, which will feature a mix of old and new songs. The band has released several albums in recent years, including "Live Drugs Again" and "I Don't Live Here Anymore", with their latest studio album still unreleased. When asked about upcoming music, Granduciel hinted that there are "all sorts of new explorations" to be shared live.
Tickets for the three shows will cost $175 apiece, and fans can look forward to an intimate and atmospheric performance from The War on Drugs at Johnny Brenda's this December.
The War on Drugs, the Grammy-winning rock band formed in Philadelphia 20 years ago, is set to reunite with its hometown fans this December for a trio of benefit shows at iconic Fishtown venue Johnny Brenda's. The "Drugcember to Remember" series, which was once an annual tradition from 2018 to 2022, has been revived after a hiatus due to international tours and band members living in different parts of the country.
Frontman Adam Granduciel explained that this year's shows were made possible after months of planning. "We wanted to do it last year, but it was just tough to get everybody – plus our extended band, which is part of our core crew," he said. The band's critically acclaimed albums, including "Slave Ambient", "Lost in the Dream", and "A Deeper Understanding", have garnered a devoted fan base for their expansive blend of psychedelic and heartland sounds.
The War on Drugs will take to the stage at Johnny Brenda's on December 18-20, with tickets going on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Proceeds from the shows will benefit the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization that directs charitable donations to support public school students. Granduciel chose this cause after being recommended by a friend who works there.
The band's connection to Johnny Brenda's dates back to its early days in 2006, when they played their first show at the venue on the second floor. The bar had just debuted its 250-capacity music venue, and the band was gaining local buzz for sets at other venues like North Star Bar. Other notable acts that performed at Johnny Brenda's that night included Jack Rose, Bardo Pond, and Meg Baird of Espers.
The War on Drugs has held a special place in the heart of Granduciel, who still considers Johnny Brenda's as a tribute to the band's humble origins. "It was just like our little corner venue that had just opened in our little neighborhood where we could just try stuff out," he said.
Granduciel also teased plans to test out new material at the shows, which will feature a mix of old and new songs. The band has released several albums in recent years, including "Live Drugs Again" and "I Don't Live Here Anymore", with their latest studio album still unreleased. When asked about upcoming music, Granduciel hinted that there are "all sorts of new explorations" to be shared live.
Tickets for the three shows will cost $175 apiece, and fans can look forward to an intimate and atmospheric performance from The War on Drugs at Johnny Brenda's this December.
just saw this news and i'm stoked! 
a charity holiday concert series is always a great way to bring some joy and music to the community. The fact that they're playing at a venue that was their "little corner venue" when they first started out makes it even more special. i hope the fans get to see some new material too, gotta keep the band's sound fresh 
i mean its been 20 years so yeah they deserve to come home and play for some good cause, like those kids who need funding for schools 
the war on drugs is more than just an album name lol, they actually do care about making music that matters 
adam granduciel sounds like a cool dude too, not surprised he chose that charity fund 
️ anyway, $175 for tickets? bloody hell, that's what i pay for a decent pint down the pub 
I've been a fan for years, their music is like a warm hug for your soul. Adam Granduciel's voice is just the best, it's like he's singing directly to your heart 
and supporting a great cause is just icing on the cake - can't wait for Dec 18-20! 
I'm beyond stoked that The War on Drugs is coming back to Philly for a charity holiday concert series 
! it's like they're bringing their signature sound back to where it all started 
plus, supporting a great cause like the Fund for the School District of Philly is just amazing 
!
I'm so stoked that The War on Drugs is coming back home for a charity concert series 
. And supporting the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia is amazing, it's all about giving back to the community 
Philly connection: The War on Drugs formed in Fishtown 20 years ago
New music teased for the shows
and yeah, the fact that they're playing at Johnny Brenda's again is like a dream come true for them... it's like they're coming home 
. The fact that they're playing at Johnny Brenda's, which was their first show back in 2006, adds to the nostalgia 
. Those $175 tickets might seem steep but trust me, it'll be worth it for a night of psychedelic rock goodness 
!
they've been gone for a bit and it's gonna be great to see them live again. but 175 bucks for one show is pretty steep even if it's for a good cause gotta think about it though the venue Johnny Brenda's has such history so it'll definitely feel like a special night. also glad they're supporting the school district of philly, that's awesome 
it was a sweet spot back in the day but now it's just a tourist trap with overpriced drinks and terrible service. And don't even get me started on the tickets they're like 175 bucks for three shows that'll probably be full of try-hard fans trying to impress each other 
! It's been too long since they've played in our city, and it's amazing that Adam Granduciel is giving back to the community through this show. Supporting the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia is a great cause, and I'm sure their music will bring so much joy to everyone who attends. Plus, playing at Johnny Brenda's always feels like coming home - it's such an iconic venue that holds so much history for The War on Drugs. Can't wait to see what new material they'll be testing out live! 