Jack White slams politicians and mocks high ticket prices at last-minute, intimate London show
Jack White played an explosive, last-minute and intimate show at Londonâs Assembly Hall last night (September 13). Check out photos, footage, the setlist and more below.
Details of the gig at the 890-capacity venue were only shared four days before it took place. White shared news of the ad-hoc tour for his surprise-released sixth album âNo Nameâ last month, telling fans via social media: âWe wonât really be announcing dates in advance so much, we will mostly be playing at small clubs, backyard fetes, and a few festivals here and there to help pay for expenses.
âShows will be announced as close to the show date as possible, some shows we wonât even decide to do until that morning.â
Support Heartworms hailed the musician for the âamazingâ opportunity, before the former White Stripe appeared onstage, kicked over a guitar and ordered the audience to scream. He joked that anyone not sufficiently moved by the ensuing performance would be âarrestedâ.
Leading a four-piece band that included a bass player, drummer and keyboardist, he complemented tracks from the stripped-back âNo Nameâ with classics by The White Stripes and The Raconteurs.
After a ferocious rendition of the new albumâs âBombing Outâ, he seemed to sum up his current era when he exclaimed its lyric about âanyone who wants less than more!â His simple black t-shirt and jeans were also in-keeping with the no-frills theme.
He demanded the audience wave their hands to âItâs Rough on Rats (If Youâre Asking)â, stood on a speaker at the front of the stage to command applause and asked, âAre you alive and well, London!â
This led White to reflect on his relationship with the city: âIâm no stranger to London Islington⦠I used to live in this neighbourhood. But I donât call anywhere home. I havenât in a long time. As soon as you call somewhere home, someone tries to take it from you. As soon as you join a group, someone tries to kick you out.â
Jack White at Islington Assembley Hall last night – what an absolute treat. pic.twitter.com/MeqzilNhbq
— Liz Buckley (@liz_buckley) September 14, 2024
Jack White last night at Islington Assembly Hall. Such a cool bastard. pic.twitter.com/DqJ4koNLrC
— John Sparrowâs long throw (@SparrowThrow) September 14, 2024
White didnât refer explicitly to the White Stripesâ current lawsuit against Donald Trump, who featured âSeven Nation Armyâ in a campaign video without permission. He did, though, express distrust of the political class in general: âAs soon as you join a political party, someone tries to lie to your face⦠I got news for you: you got a brain, you got a mind. Can I hear an amen, London!â
Less than halfway through the set, after performing the White Stripesâ âDead Leaves and the Dirty Groundâ, he insisted: âThatâs all I got!â White exited the stage, with fans chanting for more amid squalls of feedback.
Upon his return, he tore into âNo Nameââs âArchbishop Harold Holmesâ, boasting: âThis is the kind of rockânâroll youâre not gonna get at Wembley Stadium for £400!â Tickets for Islington Assembly Hall show cost £55 before booking fees. Oasis’ ticket prices recently met controversy for going into the hundreds for their upcoming reunion tour, with many coming under dynamic surge pricing.
White headbanged his way through White Stripesâ âBall and Biscuitâ and led a back-and-forth chant, imploring the audience to make a bizarre, high-pitched sound.
After leaving to stage for the second time, he returned for 2014 solo cut âLazarettoâ and White Stripes classic âFell In Love With a Girlâ (which featured a grungy, slow-down section).
The biggest response was reserved for âSeven Nation Armyâ. Standing out at the speakers by the front of the stage, White teased its famous riff before launching into the song, the guitar almost drowned out by the audience.
He gestured for them to shout the songâs lyric, âFrom the Queen of England to the Hounds of Hellâ. When they chanted the guitar riff again, he exclaimed: âLouder, London! I said fucking louder!â
Around 90 minutes into the set, White explained that he wanted to play for longer, but couldnât due to âsome kind of London curfewâ. He also decried the âdecibel levelâ heâd been asked not to exceed. âWhat the fuck is going on, London?â he asked.
Despite promising one more song, he in fact delivered two, insisting: âYouâre not gonna fucking stop me!â. After finishing with The Raconteursâ âSteady, As She Goesâ, he dismantled the drum kit and took a bow with his bandmates. His closing statement was: âKeep rockânâroll in this city alive!â
In a four-star review of âNo Nameâ, which was released physically in July and reached streaming services last month, NMEâs Andrew Trendell wrote: âFans donât need to endure a 10-month rollout of endless singles, oversaturated media appearances and TikTok douchery until they receive an album theyâre already tired of.
âThis is an ode to the mystique of rockânâroll and to the joy of music at its most physical and playful. Teasing doesnât always lead to satisfaction. Just cut to the chase â and this oneâs a bone-rattling ride. Whiteâs revelling in the real world and has made it a much more thrilling place.â
The unconventional âNo Nameâ tour began at the American Legion Post 82 bar in Nashville, Tennessee last month, before White headed to Atlanta and Athens, Georgia. He will perform at the O2 Academy in Liverpool tonight (September 14) and Chalk in Brighton tomorrow (September 15). Visit here for tickets and more information.
Jack Whiteâs setlist at the Islington Assembly Hall was:Improvised Jam
âOld Scratch Bluesâ
âThat’s How I’m Feelingâ
âBombing Outâ
âIt’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)â
âLittle Birdâ
âDead Leaves and the Dirty Groundâ
âWhat’s the Trick?â
âGoin’ Back to Memphisâ
âArchbishop Harold Holmesâ
âBall and Biscuitâ
âImprovised Jamâ
âEvil Is Goin’ Onâ
âFell in Love With a Girlâ
âMissing Piecesâ
âTop Yourselfâ
âUndergroundâ
âLazarettoâ
âSeven Nation Armyâ
âMorning at Midnightâ
âWhat’s the Rumpus?â
âI’m Slowly Turning Into You’
âSteady, as She Goesâ
The post Jack White slams politicians and mocks high ticket prices at last-minute, intimate London show appeared first on NME.
Jack White slams politicians and mocks high ticket prices at last-minute, intimate London show
Jack White slams politicians and mocks high ticket prices at last-minute, intimate London show
Jack White slams politicians and mocks high ticket prices at last-minute, intimate London show
Jack White slams politicians and mocks high ticket prices at last-minute, intimate London show
Jack White slams politicians and mocks high ticket prices at last-minute, intimate London show
Play online games for free at games.easybranches.com
Guest Post Services www.easybranches.com/contribute