June 21st - 02 Brixton Academy
Reviewed by Tom Burris
Jack White brought his Blunderbuss showcase to the O2 Academy in Brixton, this time featuring Jack’s handpicked all-male band, The Buzzards.
Arriving to Brixton early enough for the support act this time, I was treated to some pleasant harmonies delivered by the Swedish sisters from First Aid Kit. Their support shows for Jack White coincide with their tour for their new album The Lion’s Roar.
Jack emerged onto the stage, his distinctive silhouette from the spotlights bouncing in time to the beat across a striped curtain. From the sounds of the first crack of the Brooklyn drummer’s snare drum, I knew it was going to be a loud and electric show. Jack opened with The White Stripes' song, Back Math, which suggested I was getting a lot more than just a promotion of Blunderbuss. This was Jack White at his purest with no pre-obligations to his other bands or projects.
Jack’s excellence continued as he delved into his back catalogue including The Raconteurs' Top Yourself. Jack made his collaboration with DangerMouse his own before doing the same with The Dead Weather’s I Cut Like a Buffalo
Getting crazier through the night, Jack’s guitar solo on Ball and Biscuit was insane. Returning for the encore, Jack thrashed his way through the recent Blunderbuss single Sixteen Saltines and The Hardest Button to Button, before finishing with Take Me With You When You Go.
The attention to detail and the magnificent musicianship of The Buzzards made this a fantastic night. We may no longer have The White Stripes but Jack is back and as good as ever.
This was the first of three UK dates, with another performance at today's Radio 1 Hackney Weekend.