Adam Granduciel, main man of the American band the War on Drugs, is enthusiastic about getting back on tour after some downtime at home; in December the band returns to New Zealand.
And their trajectory here mirrors the increasing international acclaim they've enjoyed since forming in Philadelphia almost 20 years ago. When they played Auckland in 2014, it was the Powerstation; this time it's Spark Arena.
These days, they are used to massive audiences, in Quebec playing before Lana Del Rey to "something like 100,000, and we played Madison Square Garden [capacity almost 20,000] a couple of times".
Having started in local clubs with a small band - which included Kurt Vile who left in 2008 for his equally successful solo career - Granduciel has changed his approach to performing. Previously, he felt they had to prove themselves because they were being judged, but "people don't do that, they go to be with their friends and have a good time.
Denne historien er fra November 18-24 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra November 18-24 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
