It’s a more compelling example of cultural impact separating truth for fact.
A Sweaty Sunday Service delivered by Jack White at The Blind Pig. 2024
Once again the Seventh Son has bestowed blessings on his home state, this time heading west and bringing his No Name tour to Ann Arbor’s finest rock club, The Blind Pig. A mere 400 capacity room lined with mirrors on both sides. This is a real deal, down and dirty, gritty rock club. I never imagined I would see Jack White of all people, who is still very much at the top of his game grace this stage. Yet here we are, still processing last nights events, trying to regain full hearing out my good ear, and typing out my thoughts on what feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Last month he played for the first time in his career the 1000 capacity St Andrews Hall. I never imagined that performance and setting could be topped. But only a few weeks later ole Jackie pulled out another wild card. The Blind fucking Pig. Wild, just wild.
Same routine as before, show was announced last Tuesday, and tickets went on sale Wednesday. Fortunately I was able to get my hands on tickets once again. It was a painstaking three days of anticipation that was well worth it in the end.
Local cats from Ann Arbor ZZVAVA got the night started, flaming the already warm crowd with their sonic treachery. A four piece outfit that rotates out instruments. A band of elite musicians that can shred on everything and take turns playing different parts. They curate a wonderful sound, incorporating punk, psychedelic garage, and new wave to create a brand that pays tribute to the likes of the Stooges, Devo, Television, Talking Heads, and Ween while creating a total original sound. Nothing derivative about this cats. They kept the crowd engaged with their primal energy and delivered the perfect set to pave the way for Jack to tear it down. They are on instagram, band camp, and Spotify. I highly recommend giving them a listen, they have plenty of material for you to jam into your ear holes, and it’s all solid as fuck. Catch them live too, it’s a quality show, and you won’t be disappointed.
The clock struck 9:15 and Jack took the stage with his all star lineup backing him yet again. Bobby Emmett on the keys, Dominic Davis on the low end, and Patrick Keeler on the skins. A force to be reckoned with. The club was packed tight, sweat was dripping, and the band was electric.
There was a lot of similarities between this set and the St Andrews show. However the intensity and tempos did seem to be increased last night. There was a few songs off No Name that he played out last night that were missing from the St Andrews set.
There was no time wasted as they played hard all night, going into some Howling Wolf cuts, and weaving between White Stripes classics and No Name tracks. The set list seemed to be not as fruitful as some of the previous dates on this tour, but the extended jams were in full supply, and the energy was never lack luster. Jack White knows how to work a room, be it a sold out Little Cesar’s Arena, or a sold out Blind Pig, his energy is always on the level. He always plays like he is in a 400 capacity club. Actually seeing him work a room like that was absolutely mind bending. It was hot, and crowded, just how I like a show to be. My ear is still ringing. My need for live music was given the top shelf dope banged through the veins treatment last night. Still haven’t come down from that high. I was a little annoyed he opted to play Seven Nation Army again, but god damn does that track take on a whole new level when he plays it live and with this current band. Fitting to play it on opening weekend of the college football season I suppose. I could have gone for another hour and half of watching him and the fellas destroy, but it was hot and they have been keeping themselves plenty busy. I’m thankful that they gave up the day of rest to provide myself and the other 399 lucky ones with a stellar night of down and dirty rock and roll. This has been one hell of a tour Jack has embarked on, and I am glad someone has finally taken legitimate measures to keep the scalpers holding their dicks in their empty hands so fans can affordably witness the absolute brilliance that is Jack White in the most intimate of settings.
Be sure to check out ZZVAVA and Jack White. Couple of hometown cats doing right by the musical lineage of Michigan.
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