Jack White is one of those artists that I have always admired from afar. After his shoot to fame as one half of The White Stripes, to his long solo career and other collaborations, White has an extensive catalogue of songs at his disposal. However, I have never had the chance to see this legend from Detroit live. That is, until now!
Currently touring around Australia on the back of his latest solo release, No Name, Jack White performed at Melbourne’s iconic Forum Theatre for the first of his two, back-to-back, sold out shows on Monday the 9th of December. With patrons lining up from as early as midday to get the best spots possible, this was sure to be an incredible night.
Following on from a fantastic opening set from Geelong rockers, Vintage Crop, the Forum stage was bathed in a deep blue hue, representing the colour of Jack White’s latest album, and the sold-out Forum crowd was eager for his arrival. Flanked by his bandmates, Patrick Keeler on Drums, Bobby Emmett on Keys and Dominic Davis on Bass, Jack White launched onto the Melbourne stage, bouncing with energy.
Slapping the strings of one of his guitars, still in its rack, before leaping to one side of the stage, White raised his hands with the Melbourne crowd responding with a deafening cheer. With the band already in full swing, White picked up the guitar that was still ringing and launched straight into the first two tracks from his album, performing ‘Old Scratch Blues’ and ‘That’s How I’m Feeling’, complete with a call and response with the rocking audience.
Most live acts now days tend to have a carefully curated playlist that follows them on tour. Not Jack White. He essentially plays what he likes and doesn’t stop until the concert is over. And I mean, he does not stop! I don’t even think his band know what he is going to play next at times. On multiple occasions, White would give cues to Keller on drums before counting him in on the next song. Jack White is like a freight train that shows no sign of stopping, and his bandmates are holding on for dear life. A controlled chaos that left me in awe of their collective musicianship. Like a singular organism belting out the most incredible mix of blues and garage rock you’ll ever hear.
Favourites from the set included tracks from The White Stripes with ‘Let’s Build a Home’ and ‘Hello Operator’ and more tracks from his No Name album, ‘It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)’ and ‘What’s the Rumpus?’. Songs from his other projects, such as ‘Broken Boy Soldier’ by The Raconteurs and more White Stripes tracks with ‘Cannon’, and ‘I’m Slowly Turning Into You’, were all favourites with the passionate Melbourne crowd.
One of the beauties of an unknown setlist is that no two Jack White shows are the same and after seeing his Corner Hotel gig only two days prior, I can attest that this is indeed true. I had no idea what was coming next. Even more so, with how White and his band meld each of the tracks together with their non-stop playing, I found myself trying to decipher a key or timing signature that might allude to what song was next and then was still was surprised.
Arguably the biggest surprise for me of the night was the addition to the set, of one of my favourite White Stripes songs, ‘The Hardest Button to Button’. So much so that found myself I shouting out “No way!” as soon as that intro rang out over the sold-out Forum Theatre. I could also hear other patrons around me exclaim with the same joy when their own favourites were played.
Before I knew it, the main set was over. I felt like I had just run a marathon of audible bliss, with track after track of incredible live performances, each complete with their own flairs, fills, and epic guitar solos. Jack White is only one of a few guitarists that appears at one with the instrument in his hands. White plays so effortlessly and I found myself constantly shaking my head in disbelief at what I was witnessing. He forms a symbiotic connection with the guitar from the moment he picks it up. Truly a master of his craft and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to finally see him live.
It’s not all about Jack White though, giving his bandmates their own time to shine throughout the 90-minute set. From call and response games with Emmett on Keys, to solo Bass intros from Davis, and even a drum solo from Keeler. But what these three really need to be praised on is their ability to keep up with White and almost read his mind as the night went on. Their musicianship is some of the best I have ever seen on stage, plus they all look to be having the time of their lives whilst doing it.
After a well deserve breather off stage before the encore, the band and Jack White returned to the Melbourne stage with another favourite of the evening, ‘Steady, as She Goes’ from The Raconteurs. As loud and vocal as the Melbourne audience was, they were also just as respectful with the slow and quieter breakdown during the track before erupting and moshing when it picked back up again.
The set closed out with ‘Archbishop Harold Holmes’ from No Name, The White Stripes track ‘Ball and Biscuit’ and another No Name album song, ‘Underground’. But it was the final number that everyone was waiting for. The song that became an instant hit in the early 2000’s, the one that is now a famous football chant, with the famous riff written right here in Melbourne at the Corner Hotel over 20 years ago. That’s right, the iconic ‘Seven Nation Army’.
Easily one of the most recognised songs of our generation and one, until Saturday night, that I had not heard live before. But there was something that just hit different with the 2,000 odd patrons all chanting in unison at Jack White’s sold out Forum Melbourne show. It was the perfect way to end an epic set of non-stop live music. Jack White even managed to break a string on his iconic guitar just before the solo and still managed to deliver an epic performance. He’s just that good!
Jack White really is a performer like no other. His energy appears as limitless as his skills are with the guitar. His stagecraft is next level, leaving no corner of the stage to waste and engaging his audience at every chance he got. Whether it be having us clap, chant and sing along, or mesmerising us with his face-melting guitar solos, Jack White is everything you would want in an artist and more. He even took the time to kindly greet some of the fans lining up early before the show.
It is safe to say that Jack White is one of the best live shows I have seen all year. His energy and raw talent is unmatched and I am extremely and eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to finally experience it for myself.
Proudly presented by Frontier Touring, Jack White performed in Melbourne at Forum Melbourne on Monday the 9th of December, and is currently touring Australia as part of his No Name Tour. With all of his shows already sold out, including his second show at Forum Melbourne on Tuesday December 10th, you would be hard pressed to find tickets. However, try your luck at the door as you never know. One guy in line behind us for the box office was lucky and got one of the last remaining three tickets.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.frontiertouring.com/jackwhite
https://jackwhiteiii.com
https://www.instagram.com/officialjackwhite
Photography by David James Swanson.
