The War on Drugs & Cass McCombs at The Fillmore SF: 2014

The Fillmore is legendary for a reason. The venue where everyone from The Grateful Dead to Jimi Hendrix played, with psychedelic posters on the walls and a history that seeps from every corner. Getting to see The War on Drugs and Cass McCombs there felt like being part of that lineage.

Cass McCombs

Cass McCombs is one of those artists who doesn't get the recognition he deserves. His songwriting is literate, his melodies are sophisticated, and his albums are consistently excellent. Seeing him live showed that his recorded work translates beautifully to the stage.

There's something understated about McCombs' performance style - he's not trying to wow you with showmanship or charm you with stage banter. He's letting the songs speak for themselves, and when your songs are that good, that's enough.

The War on Drugs

Then Adam Granduciel and The War on Drugs took over, and the Fillmore transformed. Their sound is expansive - Americana-influenced, Springsteen-esque in its anthemic quality, but with layers of synthesizers and ambient textures that give it a modern, almost shoegaze-adjacent feel.

"Red Eyes" live is transcendent. Granduciel's guitar work builds and builds, the band locks into this hypnotic groove, and before you know it, you're somewhere else. "Under the Pressure" showed their ability to create songs that feel epic without being bombastic.

What makes The War on Drugs special is their attention to texture and atmosphere. They're not just playing songs - they're creating sonic landscapes. Every guitar tone, every synth pad, every delay and reverb is carefully chosen to create this immersive experience.

The Fillmore's sound system did their music justice. You could hear all the layers, feel the low end, experience the way Granduciel builds his songs from quiet moments to soaring crescendos. It's the kind of music that demands good sound, and they delivered.

Two Kinds of Sophisticated

This double bill represented two approaches to sophisticated indie rock. McCombs with his literary songwriting and understated delivery, The War on Drugs with their expansive sound and textural focus. Both refuse to dumb down their music or chase trends. Both make albums that reward repeated listening and concerts that provide depth beyond surface-level entertainment.

Playing the Fillmore connects you to rock history, and both these acts proved they belong in that tradition. They're carrying forward the idea that rock music can be artistic, ambitious, and emotionally resonant while still being accessible.

This was one of those nights where everything aligned - great venue, incredible sound, two exceptional acts, an appreciative crowd. The kind of show you walk out of feeling grateful that people are still making music this good.