Concert Review: The Drums – Wicker Park Fest – Chicago

I am still recovering from last weekend.  Chicago was the venue, there was a bachelor party and I was in charge.  A group gathered to pay homage to a dear friend.  Steaks were smashed, craft beers were demolished, and humiliating headaches were shared. Being the childhood friend, I knew little about the crowd of college friends, but a special bond was formed post-destruction.  While the fantastic beer selection helped bridge the gap, it was a special band from Brooklyn that brought the boys together.

The Drums played headliner to not only Saturday night at Wicker Park Fest, but also bachelor party weekend.  When front man Jonathan Pierce took the stage, the atmosphere flipped and fans were zoned in.  The Drums are one of those bands that seem to grow in my favor on a monthly basis.  Their self-titled debut and 2011 follow-up Portamento have been heavy favorites in my rotation and the songs translated brilliantly live. I had seen the Drums last year at Lollapalooza and enjoyed them, but this time I was completely blown away.

A group of new friends traded high fives as The Drums traded songs from their two full-length releases. The crowd was huge and they were singing along throughout.  Pierce maintained his charismatic persona throughout while plowing through a heavy set. The Drums delivered a magnificent setlist that kept momentum while demanding my full attention.

Setlist:

If He Likes It Let Him Do It

Baby That’s Not the Point

I Need a Doctor

Book of Stories

I Need Fun in My Life

Money

What You Were

How It Ended

Best Friend

The Future

Days

Let’s Go Surfing

Encore:

Me and the Moon

I still can’t decide if it was the atmosphere, the bachelor party festivities, or simply The Drums, but this was the best live set that I have seen this year.  The Drums offered a laid back coolness that provides the perfect soundtrack to a summer evening.  While segments of our group were scattered throughout the venue, all agreed that The Drums were it.  While the body continues to heal, I will spend this week diving back through The Drums catalog….they’ve earned it.

Connect with The Drums via Facebook | Twitter

Written by Brett McGrath