Just after a weekend full of SNL’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Jack White took off to Boston to play two sold-out shows at the Roadrunner for his No Name Tour. At his February 18 show, the buzzing crowd consisted of a generational spread, all equally eager for the Detroit-based rock icon to take the stage. Pinklids started off the night with a raucous set full of grunge guitar, crashing drums and impassioned vocals. The group successfully preluded White’s set, proving themselves as well-selected openers.
Showing no signs of fatigue from the extensive celebrations at 30 Rock, White took the stage with full confidence and immediately demanded energy from the audience with a strong beckoning hand. White and his band went to their respective instruments and immediately produced a thunderous intro to the lead track on his new album No Name, “Old Scratch Blues.” Amidst continuously crashing cymbals from drummer Patrick Keeler, White and keys player Bobby Emmett riffed back and forth on guitar and organ. Without a single beat of hesitation, the group moved right into “That’s How I’m Feeling.” The crowd felt energized by the pounding drums and surging guitar, which inspired them to yell “Oh yeah” with White.
Bassist Dominic Davis began “It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)” solo with an intricate bass line, which proved a likable change from the studio version of the track. Forceful organ chords and wah guitar effects brought a blues-funk element to the song, which was effortlessly combined with rock through the distorted guitar sound and persistent drums. Moving on to a track from White’s band The Raconteurs, the band seamlessly transitioned to “Top Yourself,” which featured expansive, intricate guitar from White and tumbling drums. White also added The Raconteurs’ “Broken Boy Soldier” to his carefully selected setlist.
White also played “I Cut Like A Buffalo” by another one of his bands, The Dead Weather. Beginning with a strut-worthy drum pattern and grooving bassline, White’s setlist addition choice had heads bobbing throughout the entire crowd. The track also featured Emmett’s compelling organ presence and impassioned vocals from White. He also played “Lazaretto” and “Freedom at 21” for the long-time fans.
As a nod to the tour’s name, White also performed multiple tracks from his new album No Name. During “What’s The Rumpus,” White encouraged the enthusiastic crowd to join him for the “Oh, Oh, Ohs” that make up the song’s bridge. Saving the remainder of his new songs for the encore, White and his band created an exciting wall of sound that ramped up the crowd for the fun classic rock track “Archbishop Harold Holmes.” White’s fast-paced delivery lyrics displayed his undeniable stage energy and pushed him to expect the same from the crowd, saying “I know you’re not tired!” The beginning of “Underground” once again revived the audience, which could be heard in their sudden burst of cheers.
A Jack White show would not be complete without the inclusion of The White Stripes spanning discography. “Hotel Yorba” suddenly turned the crowd into a dance floor and “Cannon” received a coda to extend the great, grungy track. “I Think I Smell A Rat” caused White and his band to take on a variation of a surf rock sound and “Hello Operator” highlighted White’s guitar skills through high-pitched wails. “I’m Slowly Turning Into You” ended with a rumbling finish that indicated the fake walk-off before the encore. White also included “Black Math” and “Fell In Love With a Girl” in his encore set.
The show’s end could not be discerned with every song ending as if it were the last. Yet when the initial utterance of the bass line in The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” filled the entire room, it became clear the show was coming to an epic finish. The crowd immediately went crazy and used every bit of energy left to rock out to the hit song. Though having another sold-out show in Boston the following night, White and his band brought immense energy to each song and provided eager fans with a hit-filled, upbeat show.