The Black Keys have been in the music game for quite some time. The pair, Dan Auerbach on drums and Patrick Carney on guitar, formed in 2001 in Akron, Ohio. Since then, they have released 14 studio albums and traveled on at least 6 major tours. I was able to catch them last Friday, July 24th, at White Oak Music Hall in Houston while they were right smack in the middle of the 6-month-long 'Peaches and Kream' World Tour. This tour includes multiple US, Canadian, and European stops with rotating support by Miles Kane, Eddie 9V, Fai Laci, Robert Finley, and Jeremie Albino.
The outdoor venue was already teeming with people by the time I got situated and through security. Although Houston is as flat as it comes, there is a large hill, lovingly called "The Lawn," for people to sit in the grass while they watch the show and a nice sliver of Houston's skyline stage right. That hill was packed already and alive with preshow chatter as I made my way down to the front of the venue.
This night's opener was Eddie 9V, AKA Brooks Kelly, a master in bluesy rhythms. The kind of music that gets your foot tapping and hips swaying before you even realize what you are doing. This Georgia native brought some of that rich southern soul to our humid Texas swamp for us to savor. With his brother, Lane Kelly on bass, Chad Mason on keys, and David "Alabanimal" Green on drums, they kept an energetic pace with an easygoing interaction between players. "Blowin' Up" from his upcoming Down Here album was a standout piece, full of eclectic bluesy riffs and catchy lyrics. One of the greatest pleasures bands can bring to an audience is seeing musicians who really love what they do, and this was really clear watching this Eddie 9v set.
Eddie 9V takes the stage at White Oak Music Hall, Houston Texas.
After a short break and a stage reset, The Black Keys were live. They banged out a 2.5-hour set, and it ripped... the entire time! The Black Keys have a unique stage setup since the duo consists of the guitarist and drummer. The drum setup is in the front of the stage, which was a great way to really see the magic happening up close and personal. No drummer is relegated to the back on this stage. The air was cooling off, the crowd was pulsating, and the stage was electrified. The energy was growing as The Black Keys launched into classics like "Heavy Soul," "Everlasting Light," "Tighten Up," "Gold on the Ceiling," and "Howlin' for You." They also played some amazing covers too, such as "Have Love Will Travel" and "You Got to Lose," which is featured on their new Peaches! album. Then came an amazing cover of The Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog." Unexpected and thrilling, a really solid version of the well-loved song.
What appeared to be the end of the night with the stage lights dimming, the band retreating backstage, and the audience chanting "One more song!" turned into a hefty little encore. The Black Keys hammered "Little Black Submarines" and "Lonely Boy" in a way that can only be witnessed in their full glory in person. Little Black Submarines started out soft, acoustic, and gentle, then the drums and guitars picked up to a practically writhing intensity. The audience responded to every bit of the raw energy on stage, returning the electrified vibe towards the stage by shouting the lyrics, throwing horns, and offering their drinks to the night sky. Two and a half hours felt like one perfect moment. A perfect moment that will live in all its bluesy rock glory in my memory forever.
The Black Keys at White Oak Music Hall, Houston Texas
The Black Keys Houston, Tx
