Fantastic show! Ladies and gentlemen and digital archaeologiests of the far future, this is a rock 'n' roll show. Jack was awe-inspiring, and he fucking ruled. This was my third White Stripes show (Smith Center in 2003 and Merriweather in 2005), and I think it was the best one yet. He performed at least half the show without working monitors in the front of the stage, and he was probably pissed about that. But he didn't take it out on the audience. The audience was really into it, and he recognized and appreciated that, taking time to talk and play with the audience quite a bit. I'm hoping someone got the full set list and will post it, but I thought the set list comprised the full range of the White Stripes' oeuvre, but with the usual emphasis on their last three albums. "Hotel Yorba" was more energized than I've seen or heard previously. Like phillidan, I also very much enjoyed "We Are Going to Be Friends." especially seeing Jack crack up near the beginning of that song after he asked, "When does school start up again?" Presumably someone from the audience said something in response, but I was too far back and couldn't hear what it was. Anyone know?
I have to give some props to the lighting, too. It was decidedly low-tech compared to most shows of this magnitude, but it was far more effective, I think. The super-mega-disco ball was a joy to behold when it was lit up, and I loved how they projected alternately Meg's and then Jack's shadows on the large red screen that served as the stage backdrop. Bravo.
I didn't see any drunk frat boys with attention-seeking girlfriends, but I did endure three older (30s) drunk guys on the right side of the floor. They each had two mammoth beers before the show even started, and then they had a liquor bottle on top of that. I guess they weren't familiar with the "beer before liquor" adage? One of them vomited right next to me. Lovely. Fortunately, he hadn't eaten anything and they all left before the encore. I did my best to just ignore them and focus on Jack and Meg. They weren't too annoying really. I've endured worse at shows.
Who was the opening band? Dancer something? Not bad, I guess. Props to them for the Voltron reference, but I'm still disappointed we didn't get Grinderman. That would have been fucking historic.
