To say that Jack White is devoted to music is a vast understatement. In his 42 years, the Detroit native has dedicated his passion and his fortune to performing his own brand of music. His inspiration and sound blends and breaks through traditional categories and commercial trends. Beyond his own artistic development since bursting onto the scene as instigator and inspiration of the White Stripes, Jack White has devoted himself to the preservation of American roots music with insatiable fervor. His company Third Man Records, is not only a thriving production plant for quality vinyl pressings, now in a resurgence, but it is also a reverent museum of American musical history.
From its wood to the beautifully warbled sound floating from turntables, it conveys the conviction of its curator.
Thursday, April 19, was a homecoming celebration for Jack White, as noted by Rolling Stone. While many artists would struggle to make Little Caesars Arena the kind intimate venue that could welcome a local string band, Jack White set the tone of the night before striking a note on stage.
Turning off the technology glow
The concert experience has become little more than a setting for a perfectly posed selfie or an Instagram blip for many audience members at today's live shows. In between songs, heads are bowed, as sending texts and posting time and place to social media steals any semblance of enthusiasm for artistic expression.
Pouches were positioned at stations along the concourse of the arena for this Jack White show, and all electronic devices were surrendered for the duration of the performance. Some were certainly seen starting to “Jones” for those gadgets in their hands, but desensitization started to sink in slowly. By will or by rule, behaviors of yesteryear, like looking at the ambiance, feeling the energy, or even conversing directly with the people standing shoulder to shoulder were observed.
In his pre-tour statement, Jack White declared that his intent was to offer a “100% human experience,” with no video screens, no blue glow from phones in palms that once upon a time raised cigarette lighters or glow sticks, and no strict set list. The show became a whole new human dynamic and the artist intends to replicate the experience for all the remaining dates of his tour in support of “Boarding House Reach,” which was released in March.
Sentimental salute
Jack White was out to create an audience that was “focused and centered,” and from the time the eclectic performer took the stage from Detroit locals, Craig Brown Band, and the more hard-core Negative Approach, there were constant salutes to the Motor City. The hometown boy was back to his growing roots.
There were continual praises to the artist's community. He sported a jersey from Cass Technical High School, which became home to White after diverting from his seminary plans and the priesthood.
“I'm your son,” the singer called out, hearing cheers from Detroit Tigers in the crowd.
The setlist was crafted through the night, with everything from “My Doorbell,” nearly done as a sing-along with the fans, to a burning “Don't Hurt Yourself,” which was first done with Beyoncé.
A few songs from “Blunderbuss” were included, along with the recent single “Connected by Love” which Jack White served up as his closing selection for last week's “Saturday Night Live” set.
The most tender time of the almost two hours was when Jack White sang “Hotel Yorba” to his mother, dancing with her on the stage.
Going from days of yore to just-released, Jack White knows his stagecraft, and of course, saved “Seven Nation Army” for his closer. He left his phone-less, adoring fans with a parting admonition to “Be positive, and love Detroit.”
