Jack White Rocks 9:30 Club in DC

Concert Review

By Stu Kelly / August 28, 2024

In an era dominated by meticulously planned tours and over-saturated social media promotion, Jack White‘s approach to his current run of shows is a refreshing throwback to a time when rock ‘n’ roll was less about the spectacle and more about the raw, unfiltered connection between artist and audience. This unannounced show at the legendary 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., was no exception. A few days’ notice was all it took for the die-hard fans to scramble for tickets, and by the time the night arrived, the intimate venue was packed with an air of electric anticipation.

The 9:30 Club, with its gritty charm and storied history, provided the perfect backdrop for White’s stripped-down approach. The room, holding just over a thousand lucky souls, felt like a pressure cooker ready to explode as the first notes of “Old Scratch Blues” reverberated through the air. The song, a brooding and bluesy opener, set the tone for a night that would delve deep into White’s expansive catalog while maintaining an unpredictable edge.

White, ever the showman, seamlessly transitioned between songs from his various projects, making it clear that his recent album, No Name, was just one piece of the puzzle. The new tracks, including the frantic “That’s How I’m Feeling” and the melancholic “Tonight (Was a Long Time Ago),” showcased a man still evolving, still restless, still hungry to push the boundaries of his sound. But it was the older material that genuinely ignited the crowd.

The pulse quickened when White unleashed “I Cut Like a Buffalo,” a Dead Weather classic, followed by the unmistakable riff of “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.” The latter had the audience in a frenzy, shouting back every word as if it were 2001 all over again. White, grinning from ear to ear, seemed to feed off this energy, his fingers flying across the fretboard with the same ferocity that had become his trademark.

The set was punctuated by surprises, such as a brief snippet of “Cannon” from The White Stripes days, which morphed into a wild, almost chaotic rendition of “Archbishop Harold Holmes.” This, paired with newer tracks like “Fear of the Dawn” and “The White Raven,” displayed White’s masterful control over chaos and melody, weaving them together in a nostalgic and entirely new way.

Of course, no Jack White show would be complete without “Seven Nation Army.” As the unmistakable bass line kicked in, the 9:30 Club erupted. It was the kind of moment where time seemed to stop, and you’re reminded why you fell in love with music in the first place. The encore, including a blistering version of “Ball and Biscuit,” served as the perfect capstone to a night that felt both intimate and monumental.

Jack White’s performance at the 9:30 Club was more than just a concert; it was a reminder of the raw power of live music. In a world of over-produced shows and digital distractions, White’s unorthodox approach—eschewing traditional tours for a more spontaneous, intimate experience—feels like a breath of fresh air. For those lucky enough to be there, it was a night that won’t soon be forgotten.

Watch “Seven Nation Army” below. 

Setlist: 

• Old Scratch Blues
• That’s How I’m Feeling
• Tonight (Was a Long Time Ago)
• (Unknown)
• It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)
• I Cut Like a Buffalo (The Dead Weather song)
• Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground (The White Stripes song)
• Love Interruption
• Top Yourself (The Raconteurs song)
• Cannon (The White Stripes song) (Snippet)
• Archbishop Harold Holmes (followed by a reprise of “Cannon”)
• What’s the Rumpus?
• Fear of the Dawn
• The White Raven
• Underground
• Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes song)

Encore:

• Broken Boy Soldier (The Raconteurs song)
• Morning at Midnight
• Ball and Biscuit (The White Stripes song)

Images courtesy of Stu Kelly Photogrpahy