Wednesday 7th July 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

For a two-man band, these Ohio men can really cause a rock out of the highest (and best) order. The simplicity of the guitarist/lead singer and drummer allows the listener to distinguish every electric note and in turn makes for a purer and more contemporary sound – yet still allowing for messy space.  As proven by the right hand side balcony at Colston Hall, immersed in body shaking, hair and beer – whilst the left appeared contented with some serious (seated) forward head movements. Everyone wanted to let go a little bit more it seemed, but then The Black Keys are more than mosh pit material; they inhabit, and deserve, a more attention seeking space.

With one strum of the guitar, Dan Auerbach produces a shift in hips and mind, his killer riffs delve deeply into a sensuous guitar space. His singing to them sounds like the early 2000’s; of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Strokes, but heavily mixed with 70s Hendrix, as it’s more proclaiming than the ambling sounds of the noughties bands. Auerbach has a likeable voice and demeanour, his comfortingly Mid Western twangs hold a sense of nostalgia in a high pitched dirge of electro-pop. Unfortunately he has now trimmed off his beard, which was epic and added to the Mid Western authenticity, but like the Kings Of Leon (who after big success got the trimmer out), The Black Keys are, after ten years, now properly storming it up in America.

Drummer Patrick Carney provided a solid bass line to Auerbach’s demanding strums. His energy was relentless but both men spoke very little throughout the performance. Lost in the set, they barely paused a second between songs; however, it was nice to see them going for each track with commitment rather than order. They were joined on stage by a bassist and keyboardist around halfway through, which intensified the sound further – as other pitches and noises spouted from the stage. Their new songs were as good as was hoped, with the same formula thus stamping their own style further into musical past and present. If you want a taste of them; Girl is On My Mind – classic.

www.theblackkeys.com

Helen Martin