The Black Keys at Barclays Center (September 24, 2014)

On Wednesday, The Black Keys wrapped up their 2nd sold out night in a row at Barclays Center in support of their recently released Turn Blue. Cage The Elephant opened the show, but I wasn’t able to get there in time for them, unfortunately (I shot them at Terminal 5 w/ Foals in May however).

At this point, The Black Keys have mostly divided fans who prefer the dirtier, garage rock/blues-infusion of their early days, and their now staple major arena brand of rock and roll. I guess I’m the rare case of someone who grew up enjoying their early work, but also finding some appreciation for the more-polished new material as well. They find a good middle ground live, working both of these era’s into one shiny package. They glow of newer tracks such as “Weight Of Love,” “Turn Blue” and “Fever” works well alongside “Strange Times,” “Next Girl,” “Little Black Submarines,” and of course, “Tighten Up,” which was practically made to be shared in a epic space. Nowadays the duo of Dan Auerbach Patrick Carney are joined by Richard Swift (whose high pitched vocals make a big difference on the newer material), as well as John Clement Wood, as he has been since 2010. Keeping both these men on stage for all the songs (both old and new) adds a lot more power to their deliverance.

The Black Keys have settled into the role of major rock band nicely. They do what they do, quite well. Would I love to hear more cuts from Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory? Sure. But you really can’t complain when they play tracks like “Gold On The Ceiling” as well as they do live, bringing the entire house down with them.

Setlists and photos, posted below.

Setlist:

1. It’s Up To You Now
2. Next Girl
3. Same Old Thing
4. Run Right Back
5. Dead and Gone
6. Gold On The Ceiling
7. Strange Times
8. Leavin’ Trunk
9. Too Afraid To Love You
10. Howlin’ For You
11. A Girl Like You
12. Money Maker
13. Gotta Get Away
14. Long Gone
15. Fever
16. Tighten Up
17. Your Touch
18. Lonely Boy