The Raconteurs, Auckland NZ, 2019

The Raconteurs

16th April 2019
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Doug Peters.

Rob Tyners fevered call for brothers and sisters to get down on their knees and testify poured through the speakers last night, the frenetic pace of the MC5 track ‘Ramblin’ Rose’ ushering in the fall of the lights and the highly anticipated arrival of The Raconteurs. The track was a rather appropriate choice; Jack White himself often stating that there is a resemblance between being a priest and being an artist. Both feel a calling; both are preaching to you.

Just moments before this, The Raconteurs road crew, dressed in button down grey uniforms with a full-length tie that gave them the look of old school security guards from South Carolina had bustled about the stage, efficiently ensuring that everything was in its place and that there was place for everything. The crowd cheered with gusto, simultaneously pressing forward as The Raconteurs entered, the accolades only gaining volume as the man himself, Jack White made his entrance encased in anonymous black.

Five members graced the stage last night, the very recognisable face of Queens of the Stone Age keyboardist/guitarist Dean Fertita (and fellow the Dead Weather member) ensconcing himself between his keyboards to the left of the stage. Brendan Benson, the two Jacks’ – Lawrence and White respectively – taking up position across the stage while drummer Patrick Keeler settled in behind the kit.

From the moment ‘Consoler of the Lonely’ filled the room it was evident that The Raconteurs had gathered no dust, despite 2019 ushering in their first live performances in eight years. With a new album entitled Help Us Stranger due for release in June, last night’s performance brought material both old and brand spanking new to the table. And the sold-out Auckland audience were ready to feast, their hunger evident as all eyes turned to the figure in black. Benson led the charge on vocals, White often hanging back in the shadows to the right of the drum kit, before stepping forward and electrifying the audience with every word that cascaded from his lips.

‘Bored and Razed’ gave the fans their first taste of the upcoming new material – a head spinning six new tracks gracing the set list last night – it’s fast pace and definitive Jack White brand of rock n roll engaging the audience as heads shook and feet tapped out the rhythm. Well loved favourites ‘Level’ and ‘Old Enough’ were sung word for word, both Benson and White smiling at the reception, White thanking one and all and expressing how good it was to be back in Auckland before taking leave of his procession of mouth-watering guitars for ‘You Don’t Understand Me’; taking a seat at the piano he displayed yet another facet of his multi-instrumental talent.

There was momentum and both White and the audience could feel it, not wanting to break the spell, White let fly once again on guitar, cutting short Bensons introduction of ‘Salute Your Solution’. A trio of new material came forward and laid out its cards, ‘Now That You’re Gone’ seeing White bring forth the blues that sashayed around Bensons vocals, Lawrence providing the rich undertones of foundation. As one of the first of two tracks already released from the upcoming album, the fans knew the song, White determinedly stepping forward to the edge of the stage and encouraging them to sing the title line through the sultry throb of the bridge. ‘Sunday Driver’ exploded across heads, White touting a gold foil Gibson Flying V that positively gleamed while gloriously matching one of the pedals on the impressive board that lay at his feet.

There is an artistry to White’s playing, and while it is often tempting to watch the range of emotions that play out across his face, it is his hands that provide the illustration of his thoughts. Fingers caress and glide across strings, while at other times they furiously strum as if in battle; the whammy bar fleetingly touched providing just the desired amount. He is revered as not only a guitarist, but as a musician. A genius if you will. A statement anyone who has witnessed him live can attest to.

Unsurprisingly ‘Steady, As She Goes’ received the biggest reception of the evening, the song re-vamped and re-vitalized, White leading the audience through the final two lines, splitting the fans down the middle to sing each half which they did so with glee, White looking pleasantly satisfied with their efforts. Taking the set out with ‘Blue Veins’ – a staple of any Raconteurs set – a reverence settled over the audience as White took center stage. There, in Auckland’s Powerstation, years of musical immersion poured forth from White’s very soul. The man who fell in love with artists such as Blind Willie McTell and Son House in his formative years (Grinnin in Your Face still Jack White’s favourite song since the day he first heard and fell in love with it) manifesting in a blues performance that spoke to your very heart.

A four-song encore gifted another two new tracks to the insatiable crowd, a cover of Donavan’s ‘Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)’ – the only non-Raconteurs track to appear on the upcoming album – bringing with it a toe-tapping beat. An incredible version of ‘Broken Boy Soldier’ left the crowd on a high, their joy reverberating around the room as the band downed instruments. But White wasn’t ready to leave just yet; leaning forward he whispered in ears, nods of acceptance taking the members back to their places as White stepped forward with a smile and announced they had one more to give.

The haunting story of ‘Carolina Drama’ strode through the room, whispering its murderous tale into the ears of last night’s disciples, it’s final line of ‘Go and ask the Milkman’ not delivered by White, but by the fans themselves.

The Raconteurs are back ladies and gentlemen, and never have they looked so good.

Were you there at the Powerstation for this magnificent alternative garage blues rock gig? Or have you seen The Raconteurs perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

1. Consoler Of The Lonely
2. Bored And Razed
3. Level
4. Old Enough
5. You Don’t Understand Me
6. Hands
7. Salute Your Solution
8. Now That You’re Gone
9. Help Me Stranger
10. Sunday Driver
11. Steady As She Goes
12. Blue Veins
13. Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness) [Donovan cover – encore]
14. Only Child [encore]
15. Broken Boy Soldier [encore]
16. Carolina Drama [encore]

If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.