As if to bring the true meaning of the title of their upcoming album No Rain No Flowers to life, Los Angeles was showered in rain on the day of the show. But no matter the weather the show must go on, and The Black Keys brought it with full force.
Brighton-born band The Heavy Heavy opened the night with a sound that perfectly encapsulates the entity of Los Feliz: free spirited, fun and somewhat nostalgic. Despite the gloomy weather earlier in the day, they brought the summer vibes back, making you feel like you've been transported somewhere to a bonfire by a camp site.
The Black Keys stepped onto the stage with quiet humility, emerging from behind a closed red curtain and giving a polite wave to the crowd. They give off the energy of a cool uncle casually picking up some instruments at a family gathering only to leave everyone speechless by their skill level.
The whole night was a magnificent masterclass in instrumentals, but especially guitars. They pushed the boundaries of what you’d expect, from gritty, hard-hitting riffs to siren-like wails. Dan (the lead guitar and vocalist) truly showcased his complete control over the instrument and made it speak in ways that hit everyone to the core.
Although The Greek Theater is a seated venue, none of those seats were put to use, once the band hit the stage, the entire crowd was on their feet, rocking out from start to finish.
The setlist was a good mix across their albums, but Brothers received extra attention, as nearly half the record was played, including a rare live appearance by "Too Afraid To Love You". They also gave a little tease of the new album and played two of their new songs, which delivered everything you would hope for from The Black Keys.
The Keys made the crowd work for the encore, fans screamed, whistled, and waved their phone flashlights for a solid five minutes before the band returned for a stripped-down version of "Little Black Submarines". Then, with full force, they closed the night with an explosive performance of "Lonely Boy".
The new album, No Rain No Flowers, comes out on August 8th, and its definitely a worthy idea to pre-order, as its sure to be something special.
