Jack White doesn’t care about formalities.
Round 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, the previous White Stripes/Raconteurs/Useless Climate/Them Crooked Vultures frontman turned solo artist swaggered onstage on the regal Brooklyn Paramount and instantly jumped right into a blistering rendition of “Old Scratch Blues.” The gang whistled and cheered however the 49-year-old axeman couldn’t have cared much less concerning the beneficiant fanfare. All he wished to do was shred.
For the following hour, White put his pedal to the steel, by no means took his foot off the gasoline and delivered a breathless set devoid of breaks and heavy on flawless segues. After beginning with a pair of groovy tunes from his down and soiled 2024 album “No Name,” he launched into the fuzzy, reverb-heavy “Fear Of The Dawn,” which straddles the road between rock and steel. The viewers thrashed. To not get all excessive and mighty, however his distorted sound broke by way of some form of soul barrier creating suggestions into our collective beating coronary heart. Later within the evening, he’d take us on a stroll down reminiscence lane along with his vigorous, ramshackle White Stripes basic “Hotel Yorba.” Now we have been jigging to the hop and skip Celtic Americana.
As completely different as these songs are, they each share unmistakable Jack White DNA. He’s a singular artist the place you possibly can determine his sound from a chord.
Whereas he wasn’t enjoying the hits — “We’re Going To Be Friends,” “Fell In Love With A Girl,” “My Doorbell,” “Blue Orchid,” “Steady As She Goes” and plenty of different fan-favorites sadly didn’t make the set listing — not one of the hermetic present felt inessential. White was enjoying what he wished to play (an artist of his caliber may be afforded that luxurious) and his pressing high-pitched yelp married to his indignant guitar licks labored wonders it doesn’t matter what track he plucked from obscurity.
Reality be instructed, that’s what made this present particular.
White, at present on his nationwide ‘No Name Tour’ in assist of his album that shares the identical ironic non-name, is doing one thing radically completely different from different members of his early-aughts iPod technology with this worldwide trek. Whereas teams like Dying Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand, The Fray and Bloc Get together look backward and revisit basic albums, White is celebrating his deep cuts and newer stuff whereas mixing in only a few of his most well-known hits to appease the followers. Because of this, the present generally felt like we have been watching the world’s biggest band observe full with boffo prolonged solos and seemingly improvisatory riffs.
On this evening, it was clear: Rock and roll just isn’t useless.
Properly, after all, so long as Jack White is round.
In his beautiful encore, the Detroit native paid homage to his fellow statesman Iggy Pop with an important cowl of The Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog” earlier than leaping into his prescient “Icky Thump” just a few songs later. The road “White Americans, what? Nothing better to do/Why don’t you kick yourself out? You’re an immigrant too” left a very potent 2025 sting.
This was a doomsday rock and roll sermon shot straight out of hell and White was simply the effortlessly seasoned preacher destined to ship the message (albeit one which combed his hair onstage in a uncommon momentary respite).
To shut the evening, White and his parted mop-top gave the group what that they had come for and launched right into a contemporary, emphatic model of “Seven Army Nation” full with an exhilarating drum break much like the rendition that closed the “SNL50” Radio Metropolis live performance with on Valentine’s Day.
As we clapped and sang alongside within the sold-out intimate venue, folks held their telephones excessive recording the efficiency. This was one you’d by no means need to neglect.
As a result of who is aware of?
White doesn’t care about formalities. It’s definitely doable he might by no means play the beloved anthem once more.
And there’d be nothing incorrect with that- every little thing he takes to the stage — from steel to storage rock to soul-searching blues to singalong clap alongside jams to folksy Celtic Americana with sing-songy rhymes — is simply as invigorating (and sounds simply nearly as good reside as he does on his immaculately produced albums).
The one disappointment of the evening? That the present ended.
Remaining verdict: Jack White is a novel megastar that doesn’t care what you suppose. He’s going to cater to his each whim and carry out the songs he likes. Whereas which may not embrace the hits don’t let that be trigger for concern. The whole lot he performs slays. He’s a real capital A “Artiste” and capital R “Rock star” who delivers a headbangers delight for all whereas innovating on his axe. Heck, because of him, there simply could also be hope that this woebegone style we name rock and roll nonetheless means one thing.
For our cash, we completely suppose it’s best to see White reside in the event you can. You gained’t remorse it.
Jack White tour schedule 2025
A whole calendar together with all tour dates, venues and hyperlinks to purchase tickets may be discovered beneath.
| Jack White tour dates |
|---|
| Feb. 28 at The Troxy in London, GB |
| March 1 at The Troxy in London, GB |
| March 2 on the O2 Academy in Birmingham, GB |
| April 3 at The Manufacturing unit in St. Louis, MO |
| April 4 on the Uptown Theater in Kansas Metropolis, MO |
| April 5 at Steelhouse in Omaha, NE |
| April 7 on the Palace Theatre in Saint Paul, MN |
| April 8 on the Palace Theatre in Saint Paul, MN |
| April 10 at The Salt Shed in Chicago, IL Indoor present |
| April 11 at The Salt Shed in Chicago, IL Indoor present |
| April 12 on the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, MI |
| April 13 on the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, MI |
| April 15 at GLC Stay in Gand Rapids, MI |
| April 16 on the Agora Theatre in Cleveland, OH |
| April 18 at The Pinnacle in Nashville, TN |
| April 19 at The Pinnacle in Nashville, TN |
| Could 4 on the Moody Theater in Austin, TX |
| Could 5 on the Moody Theater in Austin, TX |
| Could 6 on the South Facet Ballroom in Dallas, TX |
| Could 8 on the Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO |
| Could 9 on the Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO |
| Could 10 on the Union Occasion Middle in Salt Lake Metropolis, UT |
| Could 12 on the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA |
| Could 13 on the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA |
| Could 15 on the Santa Barbara Bowl in Santa Barbara, CA |
| Could 16 on the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA |
| Could 17 at The Masonic in San Francisco, CA |
| Could 19 on the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA |
| Could 20 on the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA |
| Could 22 on the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC, CA |
| Could 23 on the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC, CA |
| Could 24 at Edgefield Concert events on the Garden in Troutdale, OR |
| Sept. 11-14 on the Bourbon and Past Pageant in Louisville, KY 4-day passes |
| Sept. 13 on the Bourbon and Past Pageant in Louisville, KY Single-day passes |
Bourbon and Past 2025
2025’s fest of the yr goes down in Louisville.
Set to happen on the Highland Pageant Grounds from Sept. 11-14, most of the largest names in music are dropping in for the four-day competition.
Personally, we’re most excited to see Phish, Noah Kahan, Sturgill Simpson, The Lumineers and Khruangbin amongst others.
If you wish to be there, single and multi-day Bourbon and Past passes may be scooped up right here.
Brooklyn Paramount Theater
The Brooklyn Paramount, positioned on the intersection of Flatbush and DeKalb Avenue, has fairly a storied historical past.
Initially opened in 1928, the venue served as a film palace and placed on jazz, blues and rock live shows till 1962. For the following 50+ years, the area served as Lengthy Island College’s basketball fitness center.
In 2024, almost 100 years after its inception, the venue returned to its artsy roots. As of late, it’s an enthralling, spacious normal admission bowl full with attractive historical artwork lining the ceilings and stately fountains perched on the balcony.
Additionally they occur to have fairly a lineup programmed for the following few months.
Notable acts headed to downtown Brooklyn embrace Kim Deal (March 13), Brilliant Eyes (April 17), DEVO (Could 6), Fragrance Genius (June 10) and Pixies (July 15-16).
Curious who else is headed there? You will discover the Brooklyn Paramount’s full 2025 calendar right here.
Jack White set listing
For a better have a look at what White carried out on Feb. 12 on the Paramount Theatre, right here’s the official report courtesy of Set Listing FM.
01.) “Old Scratch Blues”
02.) “That’s How I’m Feeling”
03.) “Fear of the Dawn”
04.) “It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)” (Preceded by a jam)
05.) “Apple Blossom” (The White Stripes track) (Jack White on the piano)
06.) “Hotel Yorba” (The White Stripes track)
07.) “Love Interruption”
08.) “Broken Boy Soldier” (The Raconteurs track)
09.) “Tonight (Was a Long Time Ago)” (Adopted by a snippet of “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by Iggy Pop and the Stooges)
10.) “Cannon” (The White Stripes track)
11.) “Born Under a Bad Sign” (Booker T. & the MG’s cowl)
12.) “That Black Bat Licorice” (Preceded by a jam)
13.) “You’re Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl)” (The White Stripes track)
14.) “Hello Operator” (The White Stripes track)
15.) “I Cut Like a Buffalo” (The Useless Climate track)
Encore
16.) “Archbishop Harold Holmes”
17.) “Icky Thump” (The White Stripes track) (Fan request)
18.) “Lazaretto”
19.) “Ball and Biscuit” (The White Stripes track)
20.) “Underground”
21.) “Seven Nation Army” (The White Stripes track)
Jack White new music
“No Name” simply might need essentially the most unconventional report launch story for any album…ever.
In late July, unmarked vinyl discs have been discreetly dropped in procuring baggage at White’s Third Man Data retailers. There was no discover or promotion. Only a candy shock.
As for the report, “No Name” is a throwback to White’s signature bluesy storage rock. Tight harmonies, hooky bass strains, freewheeling but managed guitar solos and unhinged vocals meld collectively to create one thing radio-friendly, private and endlessly listenable suddenly.
Personally, we will’t get sufficient of the bleating barroom anthem “That’s How I’m Feeling,” strummy, thrumming “What’s The Rumpus?” and “Underground” which sprinkles in luxurious hints of tropicalia.
Ensure to take a look at the tension-building, talk-y, deliberately over-enunciated “Archbishop Harold Holmes,” too. It’s a toe-tappin’ headbanger that may depart a smile in your face. Briefly, the tune makes each a part of your physique react. That’s the facility of Jack White.
To listen to for your self, you possibly can take heed to “No Name” in its wonderful entirety right here.
Large 2025 excursions
Can’t wait to rock out at a present with bluesmen and metalheads reside this yr?
Truthfully, identical.
Listed here are simply six (!) acts we will’t wait to see IRL these subsequent few months.
• Nick Cave and the Dangerous Seeds
• Alabama Shakes
• Gary Clark Jr.
• Linkin Park
• My Chemical Romance
• System of a Down
Who else is on the street? Check out our listing of all the most important artists on tour in 2025 to seek out the present for you.
