I noticed right off that Meg sings along to all the songs or at least most. Whenever I looked at her, she was singing, or at least mouthing along… and that speaks to me. When you’re that into your own music that it moved you, you’ve got something. Something great.
Enough digression. They didn’t play most of the songs ‘straight.’ They were amped up, faster, louder, bigger – more of everything that’s good about their music. And it’s astounding that two people can do so much. Seeing them move from instrument to instrument, making up for the lack of a backup band, was just incredible.
But more than anything, what struck me was the playful quality that underlined the show. Meg with a hand on her hip, playing with one hand and looking at Jack as though he was a very naughty little boy. Jack laughing after cutting off after the first part of “Take, Take, Take,” looking and Meg, and them riffing for a moment before moving onto “The Hardest Button to Button.” Looked almost like they couldn’t decide what to play… or he couldn’t. She knew and just kept right on going. The sincerity with which Jack White thanked the crowd when he came out for the encore (people simply would not shut up). He played “You’ve Got Her in Your Pocket” solo. Beautiful. The energy with which he tore up the stage, jamming around, running back and forth, breaking strings on his guitars, moving over to jam with Meg (there was a mic set up right by her drums for that). The sheer, joyful abandon when they broke out with “Little Ghost.” I really think that they enjoyed it as much, or as more than the audience… and that was wonderful to see.
It was a tremendous show. I’d like to do it again. 10 or 12 times, 14 hours or so on the road notwithstanding.
Highlights (for me, at least):
1. “Forever for Her (Is Over for Me)”
I don’t think I realized how much I like this song until they played it live. I think it suits Jack’s voice and it was just so… I just want to keep saying sexual. I’m not usually one to be all oh-my-god-so-and-so-celebrity-is-HAWT!!!, but there’s a definite sexual vibe underscoring their performance and it really came out in this song.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
LM,
not to rub it in but they played the two songs you wanted to hear in LA at the Greek, but consider yourself lucky because on the two nights I went, first and last of the run, they didn't play "Cold, Cold Night." Next time, I'll have to check out their entire run.
2 - LegendaryMonkey
Oh well... I'll get to see them do those songs sometime, I'm sure. Perhaps every time there will be something new that we didn't get before, eh?
3 - Douglas Mays
Legendary, shoot, you beat me too it. I was going to write an article about the Portland OR show on August 10th. The sold out two nights (9th & 10th) at the lovely Keller Auditorium (3500 cap.).
One problem, I am not well versed on their song titles. I just like the band and don't have their albums memorized.
But yes, their show was world-class, high level performance art. It was a step beyond just a rock show. Yes, when Jack played the 'vibes' that was very cool.
The show had a great texture, like a movie. Walked you in and out of various moods, but always positive vibrations.
But here is what floored me. The last song of the regular set achieved that 'astral-groove-lock' dimension that sent me into the world of virtuosity space of excellence where you don't even care what planet you are on. Very rare for any band to be able to do that. You can go see a hundred concerts by a hundred bands and not get one song out of it all that comes close to that rush. Oh, no drugs, I was totally straight. The music was the prefered drug.
Oh, it was the song where the white lights washed the stage from the back. Maybe that will help you know what I'm talking about. The third song of the encore also started locking on that groove.
I could go on, but you get the picture...
peaceloveguidance
4 - LegendaryMonkey
I think the sense I'm getting, from reading a lot of other reviews of their shows from around the 'net is that they're always somewhat different, which really makes me want to drop out and follow the White Stripes for a while, a la the Dead and Phish (ah, pipe dreams). But you're very right about it being almost like a movie... it's pure showmanship pumped up with musical virtuosity. Did they stop every now and then and just jam between songs at your show? Just as a segue, y'know... I love that.
The only band I've seen that I can really compare this to -- and not for the music, but the performance art quality of it -- is Soophie Nun Squad, a band most people will never hear about. There's a great entry on them at Wiki. They're wild... puppet shows and craziness, but so much energy. Another band who seems to be just having a really fantastic time at their own show.
5 - Wyatt_E415
cool...I'm glad to see someone else who went to St. Louis. I was at the White Stripes concert that night as well. I was sitting up in the mezzanine section, but still had a really good view of the concert.
I I agree with what you said about the White Stripes concerts being more intense than their albums. Their concert stuff is louder, harder, and faster.
Ball and Biscuit was definitely one of the songs I missed. I wanted to here that one as well as Jolene Jack the Ripper. Jack's version of Jolene is amazing, at least, the Blackpool Lights version was amazing. Which I would recommend buying the Blackpool Lights DVD if you haven't already. It is crammed full of excellent concert footage.
I about shit when he started Death Letter, that was the other one I really wanted to here that he did.
I'm not sure if this was for everyone or just us up in the Mezzanine, but the show seemed to have a little too much bass. I mean at times I could hardly hear Jack's guitar over the boom.
Overall, I say it was a good concert though. Definitely a lot of energy. I really hope they come to this area again so I can see them in the future.
6 - CandyCaneGirl
Wow, it's great to hear that someone else in the crowd was excited to be there too! I went to the show that night with literal pains in my stomach and couldn't stand the anticipation! Jack is such an amazing inspiration and person... I saw them at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City the night before I went to see them at this show and both were just mind blowing! In Kansas City, I sat in the 12th row, which was wonderful to say the least... but then at the Fox show, the show we both thankfully got to marvel, I actually got second row!! So I can truly attest to what you said about the people in the first row! They weren't moving at ALL! It didn't really bother me though... I mean, Jack, only a few feet away, took the distraction away just a bit! ;) But the best thing about being that close was that I'd occasionally get (although fleeting) direct, dead on eye contact! And to be able to see the mist that sprayed as he spat out his lyrics into the mic is indescribable. But I *assure* you, I was out of my mind and completely dancing and singing and screaming and laughing and smiling ear to ear every second of the show... Except at the very end, when I had this weird gaping expression left on my face, like I couldn't believe I'd actually witnessed what I'd just witnessed... and then knowing I wouldn't be able to see Meg and Jack in all their glory live for a loong loong time... But do you remember when Jack threw his guitar pick into the crowd? My sister and I wouldn't give up looking for that sucker... Then we were ushered out, but I was a little disappointed at their bullying staff (They wouldn't let my sister take pictures with her digital camera... luckily i brought 2 disposables though)
7 - LegendaryMonkey
Oh, wow… I think you and your sister were right in front of us! Were you the ones next to the old drunk guy who showed up REALLY late and then left and then came back with three other people? I mention this because of the guitar pick… it nearly bounced off my husband’s head and we spent forever looking for it, too, but came up with nothing. But I know what you mean about being so close to the stage… it was incredible. What a show. I wish it was happening again, right now, tomorrow, doesn’t matter, I’d make another 16 hour drive. *sigh*
8 - CandyCaneGirl
I think we actually were in front of you! That's so great, haha. We were sitting by that idiot, yeah. I think he was trying to sell tickets outside of the theater and then couldn't sell his own, so he just got drunk and came to watch for a few minutes at a time. He actually leaned over and was like, "You really like this guy, don't you?" Duhhh... Haha, but that's really awesome :)
9 - LegendaryMonkey
Woo for the Internet. You learn all sorts of neat things. :) But I can't believe that guy tried to talk to you... creeeeepy! He was pretty strange. Did NOT look as though he belonged, and not because of the age. There was an older guy in the front row who was all into it.
It's been nice reliving the show here... every time I think about it, I just get all gooey.
10 - CandyCaneGirl
Omg, I know... It's one of the best moments to relive that *I can think of! Where did you say you were sitting? I know it was really close, but were you towards the center of the stage or kind of off the the left a bit? We were sitting two seats from the center aisle on the left side as you walk towards the stage. It was an amazing feeling, just walking closer and closer and closer when we first got into the place. It's beautiful, isn't it? And that was great when Jack said he worked in a theater just like that one in Detroit. I thought he might bring that up! :) And then how he said the lions in the lobby come alive on Halloween night. But oh yeah, he didn't tell us that *wink wink* ;)
11 - LegendaryMonkey
Right, we can't mention it. ;)
We were sitting either two seats or four over from the center aisle in the third row. I think it was just two, but I can't remember it there was anyone else beside the couple sitting to my right. One of you (either you or your sister) was wearing a hoodie, right?
My husband went to college there in St. Louis and he was so stoked when he found out they were playing there... we'd been camping the website for almost a year, waiting for a tourdate we could conceivably drive to. He loves the Fox Theatre and thinks it's gorgeous, too... but yes, walking down that huge center aisle and knowing everyone is staring at you and hating you for being so close to the stage is GREAT. :D :D When I first found out we had third row tickets, I screamed like a little girl.
12 - CandyCaneGirl
I wasn't wearing a hoodie, but I think my sister might've... Although, I remember the people that sat directly behind us asked my sister why the old man that sat at the front of the stage the entire time (why didn't he have an overwhelming urge to look BEHIND him the whole time? lol, it was hilarious) came over to talk to her. That's when he said her camera was too... how did he say it? "High-end", yeah that was it, too high-end to be used. Then I kinda mumbled, "well she got it just so she could use it tonight!" but... oh well! Anyway, the woman who asked her had curly brownish hair. Was she one of the people who sat by you?
So where do you live exactly? I live about 2 hours away from St. Louis. Not too bad of a drive compared to yours! But my first day of school was the next morning and we had just had another 2 hour drive the day before for the KC show.
LoL, and I wasn't gonna directly mention that it felt great that it felt like people were gawking when we walked down that close. Haha, but you took the words right outta my mouth! :D We actually bought our tickets on eBay, so they were over twice as much as they actually sold for originally. The tickets they first gave the White Stripes web site only gave like within the first 10 rows, so we sold those and went to eBay. I mean, how often do The White Stripes show up fairly locally anyway? So we thought we'd make it especially worth it! :)
13 - LegendaryMonkey
The woman with the curly brownish hair was directly to my right! They were the ones from southern Missouri. We drove up from Little Rock, Arkansas just for the night of the show and drove back the next day, for my husband's birthday (the concert was the day before it!). And we got really lucky on the tickets -- he was camping the site when they first went on sale and we happened to get a good draw. The people next to us (the woman you mentioned) were doing the same and got crappy seats, so they bought theirs on ebay as well.
You are so lucky you got to see them twice that week... I'm jealous!! We keep hoping they'll go to Memphis because that's not a bad drive, but no. :(
14 - CandyCaneGirl
That's really great that you got such great seats from their site! You have incredible luck :) It's definitely a better situation that way than to pay off scalpers on eBay. And what are the chances they'd come to play so close to your husband's birthday?
I had to go to KC to see them or I'd beat myself up about it. Every single one of their shows is completely different, I think. Jack wore his white outfit with the red decorative stitching then. Another difference was when, in this one amazing moment, he immitated a monkey's screaching in time with the music! Hahaha, it was adorable. I guess it was a once in a while kinda thing. The crowd in KC was really really unresponsive, more so than in St. Louis if you can believe it! The Greenhornes, though, weren't as good that night as when they played in St. Louis. I thought they were really good at the Fox. Did you think so?