BLACK KEYS SHOW REVIEW
(All photos courtesy of Lisa Clair Bower)
Over the past decade, The Black Keys have firmly established themselves as one of the best bands in the rock universe. The Akron, Ohio duo have toiled on the independent rock scene since 2000 and finally broke through commercially with 2010’s Grammy winning album Brothers.
Since then, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have poured out rock radio staples, and developed a passionate, dedicated fan base.
On Wednesday night, they brought their “Let’s Rock” tour to Orlando’s Amway Center, where I had my first chance to catch their live show. The crowd was solid for a midweek show with the floor and lower level packed, while the upper level seats were half full.
Shannon & The Clams opened the show at 7:00. Thanks to the early start, and typical I-4 traffic, we missed their set, but the nearby crowd seemed to like their quirky style. Modest Mouse took the stage next, and generally sucked the life out of the arena until The Black Keys took the stage and immediately improved the vibe.
The duo took the stage, flanked by two other guitarists and a bass player and immediately ripped through “I Got Mine.” The first few songs had a heavy, bluesy feel to them, as the crowd settled in. They kicked it up a notch with an incendiary version of “Gold On the Ceiling” which led directly into a fun triple-guitar powered version of “Fever.”
Auerbach’s guitar work was excellent throughout, and the three-guitar attack from the full band allowed the group to deliver a full, powerful sound. Carney, behind a minimalist drum kit was the band’s rock – perhaps unspectacular, but the steady backbone all night.
As a front man, Auerbach does not ooze charisma, but he’s an engaging likeable performer. His interactions with the crowd were brief, “Here’s one we used to play in my basement back in Akron.” My favorite quote from him during the set was: “You feel gooooood,” after a raucous response to one of their early songs. What he lacked in charisma, he made up for with copious energetic dashes around the stage.
There were a few personal favorites that I wish had been in the setlist, but I respected the diverse selections that were included, including 6 tracks from both the new Let’s Rock and the aforementioned Brothers. In addition, they sprinkled in another 10 songs from a handful of their other albums.
An early highlight of the set was Auerbach’s robust vocals on “Everlasting Light” followed by a scorching singalong version of “Howlin’ For You.” The band absolutely threw down the gauntlet with a fantastic close to the main set. “Little Black Submarine” started with a stark, yet beautiful Auerbach vocal, before kicking into the explosive close of the El Camino staple. They immediately powered into another El Camino offering, “Lonely Boy,” which had the crowd at a fever pitch.
After a long break (too long) they came out for their encore. Three more rocking tracks, closing with “She’s Long Gone,” and they sent the satisfied Orlando crowd into the night.
The show was good, but honestly, I had hoped for a little more out of The Black Keys. I’ll try to see them again, but feel as though they’d be better suited in a smaller, more intimate venue.
Black Keys Setlist
I Got Mine
Eagle Birds
Tell Me Lies
Gold on the Ceiling
Fever
Next Girl
Fire Walk With Me
Walk Across the Water
Everlasting Light
Howlin’ for You
10 A.M. Automatic
Your Touchconclusion.
Strange Times
Tighten Up
Thickfreakness
Ten Cent Pistol
Little Black Submarines
Lonely Boy
Encore:
Lo/Hi
Go
She’s Long Gone
