There’s something really satisfying about a band with a deep catalogue of rock bangers that knows exactly how to use them.
The Black Keys brought their Peaches ’N Kream World Tour to Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night, delivering a set that reminded us why Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have been a formidable musical partnership for more than two decades.
The evening got off to a strong start with Canadian singer-songwriter Jeremie Albino. An energetic performer with a sound rooted in country, blues, old-school R&B and Southern soul, Albino has come a long way from his teenage days busking on Toronto streets. His gritty, rootsy rock ’n’ roll was a great fit for the headliners, getting the relatively small but steadily swelling crowd moving.
By the time The Black Keys took the stage, the eerily empty-looking arena had transformed. The floor was full, and there were few empty seats to be seen. The duo, joined by their touring musicians including guitarist Barrie Cadogan, brought plenty of muscle to their blues-infused garage rock. Cadogan, also known for his work with artists including Primal Scream and Morrissey, added another layer to the band’s already substantial sound.
The lighting was fantastic, complementing the music without overpowering it. With a catalogue this extensive, there’s no shortage of crowd-pleasers, and songs like Gold on the Ceiling and Howlin’ for You delivered exactly the kind of infectious energy we had hope for.
One of the evening’s loveliest moments came courtesy of a giant sparkling disco ball suspended above the stage. When it finally lit up, the entire crowd glittered as fans sang along. There was something unexpectedly intimate about the moment, a shared bit of magic in a venue that is anything but intimate. Then came the head-scratcher. After She’s Long Gone the band disappeared backstage for so long that people began heading for the exits. Even the house lights came on. Surely that couldn’t be it? Thankfully, the band returned for Little Black Submarines,” from 2011’s El Camino, before closing with Lonely Boy. That massive hit, also from El Camino, topped Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart and became one of the group’s biggest commercial successes.
The prolonged disappearance was an odd detour, but the final songs brought the night back on track. The Black Keys left Ottawa with the crowd buzzing — and a reminder that a great rock show doesn’t need to be complicated. Just great songs, a little swagger and a disco ball.
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