After two decades since their last live performance in the capital, The Black Keys returned to Cardiff on Tuesday night, for the first night of their UK tour. The rain didn’t stop the thousands of attendees from stepping into the Utilita Arena, with support coming from Circa Waves. Perhaps a surprising choice for the American blues rockers’ warmup act (I expected someone a bit older and less Brit-indie), and despite some initial sound issues, they were eventually successful at warming the crowd up, thanks to closing hit T-Shirt Weather.
The sudden appearance of a sparkling, colourful drumkit positioned front left of the stage, with the main microphone at the front right, signalled that Ohio duo The Black Keys were soon to emerge. Frontman Dan Auerbach follows drummer Patrick Carney on stage, whilst casually putting out a cigarette, actions already hinting at a badass live set ahead for Cardiff fans. Starting with I Got Mine from 2008 album Attack And Release, the band leapt right into heavy riff-charged magic, shortly jumping to El Camino’s Gold On The Ceiling, which immediately got the crowd jumping and chanting.
Despite the band forming in 2001, Auerbach’s voice still proves very powerful, though perhaps this is because he doesn’t seem to be using it in any other way, as the band aren’t very smiley or chatty – only pausing to highlight their last visit to Cardiff and to thank their (very impressive) backing band. If you’re not a fan of wincingly good solos in every song, then tonight wouldn’t be your first call, as track after track exhibited the slick frontman’s impeccable guitar skills. Carney, on the other hand, mostly keeps up with his partner’s effortless energy, even if there are a few noticeable timing errors on his behalf.
We’re treated to three covers during the set: Have Love Will Travel by Richard Berry & The Pharaohs, a live debut of William Bell’s I Forgot To Be Your Lover’(covered on new Black Keys album Ohio Players), and a version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine. But the set wouldn’t be complete without two of their best tracks, and when the band coolly left the stage, it was obvious what was coming next.
Returning for the encore, a spotlight shines on Auerbach with an acoustic guitar and the beginning of Little Black Submarines graces the audience, before swapping for the electric and blasting through the second half, continuing onto the energetic finale of Lonely Boy.
The Black Keys / Circa Waves, Utilita Arena Cardiff, Tue 30 Apr
words INDIA MUNDAY photos FFIÔN WILLIAMS
