Re-Viewed: The White Stripes

By Julene McCoy in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 31, 2005 2:59PM

Chicagoist headed to the historic Auditorium Theatre to see the first of three shows by the White Stripes Monday evening. The stage was set in the requisite red, white, and black that the band has branded themselves in with painted white palm trees and a red and black backdrop of palm trees. The stage was full of all the goodies that Jack and Meg need to create their staccato and sustain sounds, from extra pedals and microphones across the stage, to different guitars, a xylophone and piano.

The set began with "Black Math" and then went on to "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" where Jack seamlessly transferred from guitar to piano and then to organ. The sound was phenomenal and loud, while the lighting brought the beauty of the Auditorium Theatre into the set design as well. Jack White at times would be rocking so hard that his hat would fall off bringing one of the many men dressed in black suits with red ties to enter the stage and pick up the errant hat and put it back on the piano for Jack to don once again. The men in black would enter and exit from time to time to pick up mics, mess with the drum kit or exchange guitars.

During "My Doorbell", Jack stopped once mid-song to go over and converse with Meg off mic and then started the song again, only to end the song prematurely a little while later. This calculated self-indulgence at times got in the way, but the White Stripes have always been about making themselves the absolute center of the universe and would not be where they are today without it. They played a good mix from all their albums getting the most crowd response during the songs from Elephant and White Blood Cells.

Meg stepped away from the drum set to perform "In the Cold, Cold Night". Her voice seemed a little meek after Jack's vocals. "The Denial Twist" from Get Behind Me Satan showcased the sound that the White Stripes are best known for. The first song of the encore was "The Hardest Button to Button" which brought the booming sounds back throughout the auditorium. Their inner rock snob came out during the rendition of "Lord Send Me An Angel" by Blind Willie McTell.

The White Stripes ended the evening with "Seven Nation Army" and a thank you from Jack and his "sister" Meg before exiting.