I may be spoiling the rest of this review, but let’s just call it like it is: Jack White is the greatest show in music. He is the one artist that I make sure I see every time he comes around. But anyways, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s take it back to the top.
First of all the venue, The Uptown Theater, was amazing. It’s spacious, yet intimate. The type of unusual-for-an-act-of-his-size spot Jack has been playing this tour. There are replicas of Greek statues on each side wall, and fake vines carved into the woodwork. I did some research, and it turns out it was designed in the 1920s to replicate a Mediterranean courtyard. Apparently at one point there were even mechanical birds that would fly around. Unfortunately those are long gone.
Soon enough the opening act, Belle & The Vertigo Waves, came on stage. They are local to Kansas City. I think every act Jack White has had for an opener this tour has been local to the area of each show, though I could be wrong. They were very good. Musically a 1980s hair band throwback in the best possible way. The front woman, Belle, exudes coolness. She’s like if Kate Bush and David Bowie had a child. Great stuff.
But then the moment we had all been waiting for, Jack White. He and his band, comprised of Patrick Keeler on drums, Dominic Davis on bass, and Bobby Emmett on keyboard, came on stage, imbued in the blue tinted stage lighting, and launched straight into a cover of “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by The Stooges. And from that point on, nothing but pure, raw, live energy.
It is refreshing in an era of carefully crafted and curated concerts to see an artist that does not use a set list, ensuring every performance is unique. And this night we were in for a treat. Nothing but banger after banger, spanning his entire career from “Screwdriver” off of The White Stripes’ 1999 self titled debut, to almost half of the songs on his newest album, the great No Name. He even debuted a brand new song, playing “Started What You Cannot Finish” for the first time ever. It’s a very strong song, and I look forward to hearing a studio version.
Jack intermittently played a verse or two from Captain Beefheart’s “Sure ‘Nuff ‘n’ Yes, I Do” between songs throughout the show, always making sure to hit the lyric “Came up on a tornado, sunlight in the sky.” Seems intentional with the then recent outbreak of tornadoes in the Midwest. Also, another oddity, during “My Doorbell,” Jack performed without playing an instrument. Just a microphone in his hand, walking around the stage. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him do that before.
His singing throughout the set was phenomenal, and his guitar work somehow just gets more impressive every time I see him. His current band might be the most solid he’s had, honestly. They followed him perfectly throughout every spontaneous burst of improv.
After the main set, he played a five song encore, and of course ended on “Seven Nation Army.” And to sum it all up, I’ll just say, it’s Jack White. His reputation as the most electrifying show in music precedes him. If you’ve never witnessed it, do so as soon as you can.
