With the likes of Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita and of course Jack White, one would have been forgiven for idly presuming that The Dead Weather would put on quite a live show. I had personally reserved judgement on the gig beforehand but would soon realise that any such reservation was 100% unnecessary...
The band kicked off proceedings with a quite frankly awesome version of album opener '60 Feet Tall' which, even though at such an early stage, probably gave Dean Fertita the chance to shine the most throughout the gig.
From then on it was a case of musical rotation. One of the things I was looking forward to seeing was how the band set themselves up. For the most part White stayed on drums, Fertita handled guitar and organ while little Jack Lawrence stuck to the bass. This wasn't to say there wasn't variation. For one number Mosshart left vocal duties to White, who was accompanied only by Fertita and the bass of Lawrence and on another occasion White even played both guitar and drums in the same song. And it wasn't to say we didn't see Lawrence showcase his very capable drumming skills either...
It was when Lawrence swapped percussion duties with White that many people saw what they secretly all hoped they would see, Jack White on lead guitar. The band finished their set with album closer 'Will There Be Enough Water?' and he very much utilized his opportunity on guitar to full effect, treating the crowd to a couple of signature Jack White guitar solos.
Before I lose scope and go off on a Jack White love fest, special praise must be reserved for Alison Mosshart. I have never seen her other band, The Kills, live before so wasn't sure on her frontwoman credentials in a four-piece band. But she most certainly didn't disappoint. Maintaing high energy throughout the gig, she threw her body around to drum beats, stood tall on the monitors and repeatedly kicked the mic stand over. The woman had weird sexually energy onstage, crooning and screeching in equal measure behind the confines of her long, black hair. Part of me hates to say it, but I feel i enjoyed her performance more than I did of Jack Whites.
With only one album under their belts I was worried the gig was going to turn into a thin forty-five minute set, but then i forgot everything Jack White touches seems to turn to gold. With nicely placed cover versions and intelligent extensions to some album tracks, they managed to fill out a headlining slot of about and hour and fifteen minutes without it feeling drawn out.
Greeted with rapturous applause, they finished their encore with songs 'I Cut Like A Buffalo' and foot-stomping crowd favourite 'Treat Me Like Your Mother', and with Mosshart being quoted as saying the second album is half finished, I already can't wait for a second shot of The Dead Weather.
(The Dead Weather performing in NYC 2009)
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