In the world of music, live albums are often seen as a quick means to please fans or make some extra cash. However, for Adam Granduciel, the lead singer of The War on Drugs, their upcoming live album “Live Drugs Again” is a meticulously crafted labor of love. Scheduled for release on September 13, the album showcases the band’s growth both in terms of lineup, with an added member, and musical maturation. Granduciel meticulously selected recordings from about 100 hours of shows, even piecing together different versions of songs to capture the essence of their live performances.

The release of the album coincides with The War on Drugs’ co-headlining tour with The National, commencing on September 12 in New Hampshire. Granduciel shared insights with The Associated Press about the evolution of songs during live performances, potential upcoming music, and his unexpected experience playing guitar on Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus’ duet “II Most Wanted.”

Regarding the making of “Live Drugs Again,” Granduciel mentioned that they used approximately 50 shows, including splicing together segments from four shows for certain songs. The process involved recalling memorable nights on tour and meticulously mixing and enhancing the recordings to reflect the band’s dedication to their live shows.

Unlike their previous live album, this new release incorporates a significant amount of ambient mics capturing the authentic sound of the crowd during performances. By utilizing 12 different ambient mics placed throughout the stage and venues, the album aims to provide listeners with a genuine live music experience.

When discussing the impact of live performances on songwriting, Granduciel highlighted the organic progression that occurs as songs evolve in a live setting with audience interaction. While confirming the existence of new music in the works, he mentioned the ongoing creative process of recording live material and exploring new songs.

Granduciel also reminisced about his spontaneous involvement in playing guitar on a track for Miley Cyrus that unexpectedly turned into a collaboration with Beyoncé. Recounting the surreal experience of hearing his guitar parts in the final Beyoncé-Miley duet, he expressed astonishment and excitement at being part of such a notable musical project.