The Raconteurs

In many ways, this tour could be seen as a step down for Mr White; playing tiny venues just nine months after his other band played a triumphant set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, but what strikes you is the fact that this is a band that wants to do things properly. They could quite easily have sold out an arena tour on the back of the White / Benson name, but The Raconteurs have chosen to start at the bottom again, and work their way up.

Jack is obviously loving the return to small venues. Stage 2 holds just 500 people, enough for him to see the whites of everyone's eyes if he so wanted, and the grin didn't leave his face all night. Brendan Benson is equally ecstatic, smiling and joking with girls on the front row, and pulling out some ferocious lead guitar breaks.


With all the focus on White and Benson, it is easy to forget that the band is actually a four piece, and the rhythm section of Patrick Keeler on drums, and the über cool Jack Lawrence on bass hold down a very tight rhythm line for the twin frontmen to work around.

But what we all really wanted to know before it started was 'what does it sound like?' Well, White's love of all things blues obviously plays a huge part in the sound, the basic 12 bar being a staple of what he does so well. Add to this the grunge sensibilities of Benson, and you have a recipe for some of the most exciting music heard in years. If you need reference points, think Soundgarden crossed with Free, and you might get somewhere close.


The set contained what must be the vast majority of the upcoming album, with the highlight being the single 'Steady As She Goes'. A Bo Diddley cover, the name of which escapes me, was a great example of an artist showing their influences with pride. But really, highlights mean nothing when a gig is this good.

Jack White has stated that this band is what he intends to concentrate on for the rest of this year, and we should all be grateful, because they are very special indeed.

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.