Author: Claire Diggins
The amount of noise two young men, Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach of the American blues-rock band The Black Keys, can make with just two instruments and no gimmicks is unexpected to say the least. They are loud, soulful and their live performances place them in nothing short of rock royalty. The two-man band from Akron, Ohio, featuring drummer/producer Carney and vocalist/guitarist Auerbach, amazed a sold-out crowd at the Hollywood Palladium on Sept. 28 for the second night in a row.
The venue holds 4,000 people, but somehow still feels intimate. Even though the show was sold out, everyone had room enough to groove.
The Palladium provided a great atmosphere for the Keys, with a large standing room, a smaller balcony along the sides and neon lights curving around the ceiling in art deco style, enhancing the band’s performance style. The show was just the right combination of talent and theatricality – a giant disco ball emerged during their hit song “Everlasting Light.”
The Hollywood Palladium is a quintessential Los Angeles institution. Its doors opened in 1940 with a concert by Frank Sinatra, and the venue has hosted the Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe Awards. The Black Keys made the most of the space, stringing lights across their stage and placing a giant lighted Black Keys sign behind them, dramatically unveiled only for their last song. It was just enough flare to keep the show exciting but in line with the band’s “no tricks” attitude. The men and the instruments alone are what make the show. Their sound is bluesy, soulful and raucous with a punch of funk. Their performance was polished and passionate.
The Black Keys, whose name originated from a series of rambling voice messages left by a kooky acquaintance of Auerbach’s father, in which he often used the phrase “black keys” to insult different antagonists, really took off with their latest album “Brothers.” The album, released this year, was very well received and heavily supported by the record label. With hits like the epic “Tighten Up,” which has been featured in commercials and an episode of “Gossip Girl,” the album was bound to please the masses. It is their best-selling album to date, reaching number three on the Billboard charts.
Of course, a band this superb also had some great openers. The Growlers, who played FYF Fest a few weeks ago, were the first band up, and they were fantastic. A self-proclaimed “beach goth” band, this four-man band has a great surfer rock vibe. The way that frontman Brooks Nielson moves challenges you not to sway right along with him. Following the Growlers was Nicole Atkins and her band the Sea. Her sound is moving and lyrical, fairly traditional and reminiscent of ’50s pop.
While everyone was there to see the Black Keys, these acts did set the stage for an amazing night. Afterwards, Black Keys’ 70-minute set and constant high energy wore the crowd out in the best possible way, leaving everyone in awe.
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