War

On 28 May 2026 the American band WAR will play at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. The group, which rose to prominence in the seventies, weaves its own sound from rhythm & blues, funk, soul, rock, Latin and jazz. Live, it’s all about long, breathing jams with percussion up front, smooth horns and pulsing basslines, with a collective feel taking the lead. Amid those open grooves the punchy songs that made their name surface: “Spill The Wine” (from the period with Eric Burdon), “The Cisco Kid”, “Slippin’ Into Darkness”, “The World Is A Ghetto” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?.”

Over the years the lineup has shifted regularly, but the core is still led by singer and co‑founder Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan. On stage WAR moves effortlessly between Latin‑tinged rhythms, psychedelic‑hued soul and tight funk, with choruses that linger and room for improvisation. An evening that bridges their early hits and later repertoire, played by a band that keeps its hybrid sound sharp.