It’s been a long time since we had heard from The Raconteurs. That all changed this year when the band announced their brand new album Help Us Stranger (with release via Third Man Records), their first in 11 years, as well as their first live shows in over eight years.
This fall will see them return to New York for two shows at Hammerstein Ballroom and one at Kings Theatre as a part of their proper tour in support of the new album but this week the band was in town promoting the album, which included some intimate surprise underplays, including a performance at Rough Trade NYC, inside of the actual store itself.
Not only that, but the band played perched on top of the mezzanine section of the venue, giving them a bird’s eye view of the crowd as they ripped through 6 brand new songs off the album. This was a special event for many reasons, as I have never seen or heard about a band playing up there at Rough Trade NYC but a crew member also announced to the delight (and mainly surprise) of everyone that fans were allowed to use their phones to take photos and videos and encouraged to post on social media, something that won’t be the case on the regular full tour. Jack White and Brendan Benson were really the only members you could really see clearly from all angles, but they were clearly equally enthused about the unique situation of the performance and having fun with it.
Following the performance, the band signed copies of the new album for all fans quick enough to snag the ticket option.
Find the setlist posted below along with a video of the band’s performance of “Sunday Driver” from the show.
The Raconteurs setlist:
1. Bored and Razed
2. Live a Lie
3. Help Me Stranger
4. Only Child
5. Don’t Bother Me
6. Sunday Driver
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