I got to attend the first of two sold-out shows to see Jack White, a guy who gives Dave Grohl a contest on how many side bands can they be in. At least, these two artists manage to bring their A-game in what they do while there’s many I could list who can’t even come close from day one. But I’ll go with a short bitch slap at Gene Simmons (shill), Taylor Swift (pre-fabricated), Bono (tool), Madonna (see Gene Simmons) and Coldplay (younger version of Bono). Love him or hate him, I put Jack White more in the company of Bowie, Phil Collins (hold on, I’m going somewhere), Prince and Johnny Marr for being an awesome collaborator not afraid to take a back seat, let someone else be the star: Ranconteurs, Dead Weather, Loretta Lynn and Stephen Colbert.
My friend Mark (my primary concert-attending partner) couldn’t swing this opportunity due to a familial obligation at the last minute so he was super generous to give me his tickets. I will definitely make it up to him soon. I know he wasn’t too bummed, Mark saw Jack play several years ago at Radio City Music Hall for his first solo tour. Why didn’t I buy tickets? I think I forgot and they were sold out pretty quickly. Besides, the venue was the Austin Music Hall which I have mixed feelings about, mostly negative since I almost got my ribs crushed at Garbage in 1998.
Back to Jack.
The opener was alright, Chicano Batman. A little bit of Los Lobos for the sound and origin (LA), a bit of Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr for the irreverence and jamming. Would I buy their record? Sure.
About five minutes before Jack hit the stage, the MC asked people to put away their cameras/phones (thank you!) to just be in the moment. Firstly, Jack hired a photographer to go around the show all night and the pictures will posted on Jack’s site within 24 hours. Plus we attendees were free to share/post them. Secondly, the MC said, you can’t really enjoy the concert focused on the tiny little screen. Absolutely! I often want to beat the crap out of those filmographies spending almost the whole damned evening recording things. One duo made themselves completely annoying at Blondie; their drunkenness didn’t help. Besides, the recordings tend to look and sound like shit. It worked somewhat. Not since Scissor Sisters and Prince have I seen an audience more cooperative, the latter had rather aggressive security.
The set list here, was a pretty solid mix of White Stripes, Ranconteurs, solo and a cover. I’m somewhat behind on his latest and my White Stripes familiarity is spotty. Seeing Charlie Sexton join him for one song during the encore was pretty cool. Regardless of my general ignorance of Jack’s entire career, I was never bored unlike many concert attendees. I’m always excited to hear new things from “older” acts and the unknown doesn’t bother me, as long as the performers really pour their hearts into it. My respect for Jack is greatly enhanced. Will I see him again? Should the opportunity arise, absolutely. Do I recommend to everyone? He’s a more acquired taste live. He plays loudly and those expected just the hits will be disappointed. For example, Jack and the band didn’t play “Fell in Love with a Girl” or “Blue Orchid” which are widely recognized despite “Icky Thump,” “Steady as She Goes” and “Seven Nation Army.”