After his cover story in Rolling Stone this month, where Jack White sort of speaks out against musical copycats (the Black Keys following in the footsteps of the White Stripes, Adele selling millions of records in a genre created by Amy Winehouse…) and the music industry that supports them, followed by a mystifying “Apology and Explanation” on his website that doesn’t explain—and really doesn’t apologize—beyond a general, “I’m sorry if I offended anyone,” White’s show at the Saenger brought rocking relief to a sold-out crowd.
When you can really play, when you can actually write songs, and when you carve out a career for yourself playing a plastic guitar and groom your stage show with the precision and intensity of Edward Scissorhands, bold opinions could be expected; judgments could flow, just as easily as musical notes.
Now if Jack White would actually speak out, if he’d actually bother to explain his views on today’s music industry, I’d listen.
Considering his performance at the Saenger Theatre, he’s at the top of his game, and up there, at the top, there is no need for apologies.
All photos by Elsa Hahne. Click here to view the gallery on Flickr.
