Support band were the 747s, who I had more than enough of last time I saw them. One song did sound passable on the second listen, but if this is one of the brightest new bands coming along, then I fear the wave of decent music over the last couple of years may be coming to an abrupt end. They remind me of bands I saw in 1996, when seemingly any band with guitars could get a record deal. Not good at all - supporting The Strokes and now The Raconteurs is something they don't really deserve on their CV.
The Raconteurs themselves had never played a gig until earlier this week, when they kicked off this 4-date tour in Liverpool. Good reviews from those that had seen them already were more than justified. I had long wondered what kind of noise Jack White would be able to make if playing in a full band. He is an amazing guitarist, and the White Stripes make an incredible noise for 2 people. In a band of 5 people, Jack White is even better, and Brendan Benson isn't too shabby either.The real surprise for me hearing The Raconteurs play, was how much it rocked. None of Benson's usual quiet, semi-acoustic stuff, and none of Jack White's pianos and other strange instruments from the last White Stripes album. This was just guitars, turned up loud, and played stunningly well. At times, the wall of guitar noise was awesome, and most of the tunes weren't bad either, although obviously the vast majority were being heard for the first time. But, some good choruses in particular, and some excellent Brendan Benson-fronted songs in there as well - the album sounds very promising indeed.
About four songs in, the band played their only well-known song to date, Steady As She Goes, and the venue took off. There was no going back from there really, as they mixed fast rock song with mid-pace rock song, the gig never slowed down. An initial set lasted around 45 minutes - seems short, but there was minimal talking or break between songs, they just came on and launched into one song after another.
During the encore, it was Jack White solo time. The 3 songs they played all featured lengthy solos from the main man, and he really is an incredible guitarist. A few days ago when I saw the Black Crowes, this kind of self-indulgence was too over the top and became annoying - no such trouble here, the welcome was never in danger of being outstayed.Watch out for this lot - by rights, they should slay the festival circuit this summer, they are without doubt my favourite new rock band.
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