I know what you’re thinking. Phil, you just saw the Dead Weather a few months ago. For free. In a once in a lifetime venue. How can you ever top that kind of performance? Well, I don’t have the exact formula for that down yet, but in the 2 months since I see that amazing live performance in an abandoned truck warehouse, the Dead Weather have found a way to improve on their live show. Not sure how, but they found a way.
First off, the openers: Harlem. Much like the Aragon Ballroom on Chicago’s north side, the Congress Theatre has the ability to make you look and sound horrid. And Harlem experienced that first hand. I’m usually down with the whole garage rock sound, 1 bass, 1 guitar, 1 simple drum kit, lots of distortion. But it was clear that they were a bit out of their league, and they weren’t ready to be eaten alive by the venue. They also need to figure out how to perform live. Perhaps a bit overwhelmed by the HUGE crowd in front of them (Congress didn’t actually advertise the start time, so by 9, the place was probably 80% full), they didn’t really deliver. They asked cliche opener questions, they complained about the tech issues, etc. etc. Everyone has tech issues, no use bitching about it to everyone. Not really the greatest 1st impression, but they’re young lads, they’ll figure it out.
I think the most evident change since the last time I saw the Dead Weather is Alison Mosshart’s command of the stage. Yes, we know Jack White put the group together, but save for a few songs and one face melting epic guitar solo during “Will There Be Enough Water?”, he’s in the background beating on his drums. If you didn’t know this was a Jack White product, you can assume this is Mosshart’s band. She owns the stage whenever she’s strutting around, climbing on top of stage monitors, throwing her hair back, and singing the lyrics along with the crowd.
New songs like “No Horse” and “I’m Mad” had just as many people singing along as old favorites like “Cut Like A Buffalo” and “60 Feet Tall.” I say old favorites, but it’s worth noting, this band is barely over a year old. While having Jack White as the drummer definitely gives this band a boost name wise, I’d argue it’s the live show, the performance of Mosshart, the driving bass lines of Jack Lawrence, and the intricate guitar and keys work of Dean Fertita that have helped propel this band to late-night Coachella slots and sold out ballrooms across the country. Closing the show with as far as i’m concerned, the best closer in music right now “Treat Me Like Your Mother,” the packed ballroom headed toward the exits. Lots of wows, lots of people drenched in sweat, lots of fist pumping still going on. “I thought they’d be good, I didn’t expect them to be that great,” was just one of the things I overheard from fans who had just had their first Dead Weather experience. And that’s what it is. It’s not a Dead Weather show. It’s more than that. It’s an experience. An experience you better go see now while you can, because who knows when Jack White decides to put things on hold and go do another project for a few more years.
Setlist:
- No Horse
- Hang You From The Heavens
- I Cut Like A Buffalo
- The Difference Between Us
- Gasoline
- You Just Can’t Win
- Die by the Drop
- So Far From Your Weapon
- 60 Feet Tall
- I’m Mad
- New Pony
- Bone House
- Hustle and Cuss
- Will There Be Enough Water?
Encore:
- Blue Blood Blues
- I Can’t Hear You
- Jawbreaker
- Treat Me Like Your Mother
PD
