I have been apprehensive to start reviewing shows I have been to because it always seems like a…..

How do I put this professionally?

You like the band before you see them or you don’t

It’s either a verbal blowjob or a…..

Tasty snack for a writer who hasn’t done anything, and wants to re-define what music is “supposed to be.”

On that note, here’s my take on The Black Keys:

Hey,
Here’s what I came up with, I wrote most of it during the show when I didn’t recognize the song.

The Black Keys Return to Columbus Once Again

Painfully, I have to admit that this was my first live sampling of The Black Keys, but I’ve tried before. Kings of Leon wanted too much of my money, and I had Foo Fighters tickets that I was forced to sell. Now that they’re a proper headlining act though, I got a chance to see them.

Regrettably it was from the ‘old guy’ seats this time, but when The Black Keys are in town, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. In the form of a seasoned touring act, they opened with an energetic rendition of, “Howlin’ for You” and while nobody would categorize them as a singalong band, they held the crowd in the palm of their hand with their bluesy guitar driven stomp-fests for the entirety of the show.

The lighting was excellent, as one would expect from a band that can fill an arena, but the staging of the drum kit and Auerbach’s gear was exceptional. Both were front and center with the excellent touring band behind them, and there were moments during the slower songs where there was a sort of, ‘candlelight’ lighting effect, even from a hundred yards away I could have imagined them playing in my apartment.

The Arctic Monkeys opened to a solid following, and they performed well, “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” being the highlight. Patrick Carney was particularly impressive on the drums, and the duo continue to deliver the simple hard rock vibe that so many people miss after The White Stripes broke up. It may be awhile before the keys are back in Columbus, but make sure you catch the next go around when they do.

liveforthepage