WAR
Formed in 1969, the original street band fuses funk and jazz with a mission to spread a message of brotherhood and harmony.
The year was 1969… and these ‘kids’ had the nerve to carry the name WAR at a time when peace was the slogan in an anti-Vietnam United States.
Their instruments and voices became their weapons of choice and their songs – including ‘Lowrider’ and ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’ – their ammunition.
They spoke out against racism, hunger, gangs, crimes and turf wars, embracing all people with hope and the spirit of brotherhood in a message that still stands today.
WAR was brought together by veteran record producer Jerry Goldstein (‘My Boyfriend’s Back’, ‘Hang On Sloopy’, ‘I Want Candy’) and rock legend Eric Burdon (ex-lead singer of the top British band The Animals).
WAR from the beginning was a concept and musical laboratory. As Burdon’s back band, it was the vehicle for Goldstein (as producer/songwriter) and Burdon (as lead singer) to experiment with the blending of many musical styles and influences.
WAR wound up being honoured with 17 gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards, which include the triple platinum The World Is a Ghetto, and double platinum Why Can’t We Be Friends? and Greatest Hits.
Need to know
Doors: 8.30m
Stage time: 9pm
Please check final stage times here on the day of the event.
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.