CMAC’s long season neared it’s closure this Labor Day weekend with a heater of a show featuring The Black Keys and Gary Clark Jr. As the late summer sun descended, a crisp autumn-like air gripped Canandaigua. Fortunately a couple of seasoned rockers were about to warm the gathering crowd, inside and out.
Blues axe-slinger Gary Clark Jr. was tasked with doing most of the warming, before the slow burn would reach roaring blaze. Backed by a pair of backup singers, guitar, keys and drums, the set started in a un-bluesy manner with “Maktub”, the opening track off last year’s JPEG RAW. Low rumbling drums and a deep pulsing Moog set the stage for a West African-inspired groove.
From there the set dove back into the comfort of his older material and signature soulful blues. “When My Train Pulls In” gave the audience it’s first true taste of a Clark guitar solo which he built from a soft whisper to a frenetic flurry. “What About Us” got the dancers moving with it’s funky rocking and featured another tasty guitar solo, before the opening set closed with Clark’s familiar, “Bright Lights.”
With Gary Clark Jr.’s equipment cleared, a red curtain was drawn. Whatever was happening behind it remained a mystery. But in front, Dan Auerbach’s and Patrick Carney’s classic guitar and drums set up sat alone.
The video screens introduced the show with a tongue-in-cheek retro news presentation from WTBK from Akron, Ohio. The original duo of Auerbach and Carney emerged and began the set with a run through some of their oldest tunes, “Thickfreakness,” “The Breaks” and “I’ll Be Your Man.” So if, like most of the crowd likely, you missed the band in the earliest days, here was your taste.
But then the curtain pushed aside, revealing not only the full band, but the full stage show. A frame of lights fronted a band of two more guitarists, a percussionist, keys and bass, all backed by silvery streamers.
The band’s evolution continued with 2006’s “Your Touch” and 2011’s huge hit “Gold On the Ceiling.” From there the set hit every corner of their repertoire. Touring behind their just released No Rain No Flowers, they worked just four of the new songs in, opting out of the album promotion route.
“I Got Mine” was an early highlight, the band’s raw duo beginnings shining through as the guitar and drums built to a combined explosion. The punchy and catchy “Tighten Up” had the crowd enthralled while “Too Afraid To Love You” provided a late show highlight, with it’s groovy keys and a searing guitar solo.
Most songs took on a life of their own, receiving full stage show treatments. A massive mirror ball descended appropriately for “Everlasting Light.” Then the streamers moved aside for the new “Man on a Mission,” to reveal a massive video wall that would bring visual life to most of the rest of the show. By the end of the night, huge letters spelling The Black Keys were carried out on stage to back the band. The requisite band introductions were dressed up with a return to the retro WTBK title cards on the venue video screens.
The full band and the exciting theatrics made for a big, bold and fun rock show, but as it turned out, the wizard was in front of the curtain from the very beginning, hiding in plain sight. Throughout the show Dan would find his way over to his old friend Patrick for a communion at the kit, all smiles and still having a blast after all these years. It came through in the whole production, making for a fiery show for all involved.
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