Jack White: Tree in a Hurricane

Jack White
Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
08.26.14

A fog. The evening was a fog. Swirling bodies, swirling lights, swirling guitars – all fed from the same electric energy that emanated from somewhere on stage. Amid the roar, a one-man hurricane was coming to life in full force, and the humidity was palpable. I wiped sweat from my eyes. I stood on my toes to get a glimpse through the monstrous crowd…

Oh, I see now. Friends, this was none other than Jack White.

In trademark monochromatic fashion, blue lights bled through the air, tainting the throng of faces that filled the Paramount. However, these folks were anything but blue. This evening was the last of two shows played by White, both of which sold out at breathtaking speed. Before the start of the show, a crewman from White implored the audience to put their phones away and simply enjoy the show. No live concert could rightfully be watched through a three inch screen. Amen, brother.

Jack White took the stage, and from then on he was a free man with a guitar in his hands to do with as he pleased. Tangents and breakdowns made every song an epic finale. Seriously. The set appeared to be endearingly freeform, although I’m absolutely sure it was calculated for months. His genius is just that, and it’s a blur to the mind. In amazing form, White stepped away from the mic and turned into something else, something larger than himself, as he effortlessly plucked notes on a swinging guitar. He became one with his instrument, and with his music. He sensed his microphone in space, and, with eyes closed, belted out guttural and delicate lyrics, all at the same time.

Finishing Hotel Yorba, White let the reverb dominate the air, content to rattle the building to its core. The Paramount shook for a solid minute as my crossed fingers kept it standing. He poked at the crowd, saying, “That’s a true story… Aren’t they all? This next one’s a true story too!” He paused for an outrageously long time in the middle of You Know That I know, waiting with a devilish smile for the audience to unravel before continuing on. Including the encore, he played a mind blowing 25 songs before concluding the evening: “God bless you, Seattle! You’ve been incredible and I’ve been Jack White!”

In preparation for next time, we’ll buy boards for the windows.

Curtis Harding had the honor of opening for White, playing his genuine throwback, soul-inspired style. His grooves were accompanied by four other band members handling guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. Harding himself played guitar along with his vocals. Most of the band, including Harding, are based out of Atlanta. His drummer, however, called Seattle home. They had great energy, playing 11 songs with a 40 minute set. They concluded with Keep On Shining, Harding’s latest single, and are currently finishing out their tour in their home base of Georgia.

Jack White Set List:
Fell in Love with a Girl
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
High Ball Stepper
Hotel Yorba
Temporary Ground
Weep Themselves to Sleep
Cannon
I Cut Like a Buffalo
You Know That I Know
We’re Going To Be Friends
The Same Boy You’ve Always Known
Astro
Blue Orchid
Papa Was a Rascal
Apple Blossom
Three Women
Missing Pieces
Steady, As She Goes
(Encore):
The Hardest Button to Button
Lazaretto
Would You Fight For My Love?
That Black Bat Licorice
Blunderbuss
Death Letter
Seven Nation Army