When the lights went out at the Wells Fargo Center Saturday night, the crowd let out their anticipated energy in unison with one roaring scream. As the Black Keys hit the stage, the scream became deafening. Dan Auerbach tried to match the wave of sound with his greeting to the crowd, “Philly! Let’s Go!” Wasting no more time, Patrick Carney broke out with the opening drum beat to Dead and Gone and the Black Keys never looked back.

The Black Keys rolled through their 2 hour long setlist of hits which included upbeat jams Gold on the Ceiling, Howlin’ for You, She’s Long Gone, and their new hit off the new album Turn Blue, Fever. About halfway through the show, they pulled out “an oldie but goodie” according to Auerbach which was Leavin’ Trunk off their very first album, The Big Come Up. A couple songs later they played an Edwyn Collins cover of A Girl Like You. Both surprising songs that no one saw coming. They closed out their set with high-energy staples Tighten Up, Your Touch, and Lonely Boy. As the crowd roared again awaiting the encore, the dark arena was illuminated with cell phone lights. A surprising encore consisted of the laid back tunes Weight of Love into Turn Blue, both of which are off the new album. Principal Secretary Mrs. McCormick, who was in attendance agreed, “I knew most of the songs but I was a little surprised with the encore because they played two of their new songs.” They went on to finish the night with the radio mega hit Little Black Submarines.

Not only did The Black Keys put on a show, but so did the opening act, Cage the Elephant. So many people were excited to see them live and they did not disappoint. Lead singer, Matt Shultz, did more than get the crowd warmed up for The Black Keys. He was a fireworks display that didn’t end until the last song. Jumping, dancing, screaming, and crowd surfing, he propelled the rest of the band through the eleven song set. The setlist included Aberdeen, Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked, Shake Me Down, and Come a Little Closer. Senior Kevin Toal, who was lucky enough to meet the lead singer after the show, said, “My favorite song was Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked because everyone knew all the words and people started crowd surfing.” He went on to say that he enjoyed Cage the Elephant more than The Black Keys because he knew all of the songs and Matt Shultz was super entertaining to watch.

Overall, the bands from Bowling Green, Kentucky and Akron, Ohio pleased the sold out crowd of 17,000 and sent them home happy. Lonely Boy seemed to be the fan favorite of the night. Kevin Toal said, “I was waiting for it all night and it’s The Black Keys signature song.” Mrs. McCormick agreed saying that “it was the height of the concert.” The Black Keys played a very strong setlist but I was bummed that they didn’t play more of the deep cuts from the early years such as Thickfreakness, I Got Mine, and Girl is on My Mind. I also wanted to hear Bullet in the Brain, which is my favorite song off the new album. I saw The Black Keys back in 2012 on their El Camino Tour and they played 7 songs from the El Camino album. Two years later, they played the same 7 songs from El Camino and it is now safe to say it is their best album from a fan standpoint and they have acknowledged that fact. The concert gets a solid ‘A-’ grade from me. Kevin Toal gave it the same grade stating, “Both bands put on a great show with really cool sets.” Mrs. McCormick gave the concert an ‘A’ as well but being the huge Tom Petty fan that she is, she said that it was not as good as Tom Petty who she saw the Monday before The Black Keys. When asked if she would see The Black Keys again, Mrs. McCormick stated without hesitation and a laugh, “Absolutely but with better seats.”

Cage the Elephant Setlist

Spiderhead
In One Hear
Aberdeen
Take It or Leave It
Cigarette Daydreams
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
Back Against the Wall
It’s Just Forever
Teeth
Shake Me Down
Come a Little Closer

The Black Keys Setlist

Dead and Gone
Next Girl
Run Right Back
Same Old Thing
Gold on the Ceiling
Strange Times
Nova Baby
Leavin’ Trunk
Too Afraid to Love You
Howlin’ for You
A Girl Like You (Edwyn Collins cover)
Money Maker
Gotta Get Away
She’s Long Gone
Fever
Tighten Up
Your Touch
Lonely Boy

Encore:
Weight of Love
Turn Blue
Little Black Submarines