The White Stripes, TheGreenhornes @ Hobart CityHall, 31/01/2006

Sat 11th Feb, 2006 in Gig Reviews

Hobart, for various reasons, is often left of the map when bands come touring Australia. While the isolation can leave locals feeling unloved, it also has another effect. Whenever a major band does decide to make the trek down it’s like a second Christmas and the locals go beserk at the prospect of seeing a class act. Enter the White Stripes. Riding high the success of their Get Behind Me Satan album and in the general neighbourhood as part of the Big Day Out bandwagon, the White Stripes set sail for Hobart, and a sell out gig at the Town Hall. 

Hobart was treated to the full production, complete with quasi-jungle stage props and the massive array of instruments that are now the norm for one of the biggest bands in the world. Also packed into one of the numerous trucks were the Greenhornes, who have been touring on and off with the White Stripes since early 2005. It’s fair to say that the Greenhornes are a wonderful power pop trio, but their live dynamic on the night was lacking a bit of charisma. The Greenhornes’ Patrick Keeler lifted the mood with an energetic performance behind the drum kit, but overall it was difficult to get into their set. Although, playing support to the White Stripes must be one of the most difficult and thankless jobs going. No matter how good you are, as soon as Jack and Meg hit the stage it’s pretty much a given that they are going to wipe the floor with you; and so it was on a beautiful summer’s evening in Hobart.

After one final check that the fake white palm trees were in their correct positions and that each of the instruments actually worked (God help the stage crew if they needed to find a replacement part for an eight-foot long marimba in Hobart at short notice on a Tuesday night), Meg and Jack burst onto the stage with a particularly aggressive version of Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground. From a couple of bars into the song it was clear that Meg and Jack were ‘on’ and the performance was going to be something outstanding (even some of the tour crew commented afterwards that this performance was one of the best of the tour).  Jack, resplendent in skin-tight red and black lycra pants, wiggled his way across the stage, singling like a manic modern-day Robert Johnson. Meanwhile Meg held it all together, hanging off Jack’s every move and anticipating the next obscure blues riff like she had some kind of weird musical ESP. The best example of this was the way she followed Jack, who went off on a blues-soaked tangent half-way though Wasting My Time. 

After the opening deluge, Jolene and Doorbell brought the crowd back to more familiar territory. Blue Orchid followed and was one of the highlights of the night. It’s amazing to think just how much sound two people, drums, a guitar and a few guitar gadgets can make, and this song takes on new life live. There ended the radio-friendly portion of the night’s entertainment. 

Captain Beefheart’s Party of Special Things To Do was next up.  It’s good to see that acts as big as the White Stripes aren’t afraid to bring in some more abstract influences. Or maybe it’s because they are so big that they can do what they like. Either way, it was a real treat. Another reasonably obscure addition to the setlist was Devil’s Haircut by Beck, which left more than a few contemplating just how amazing a collaboration between Meg, Jack and Beck would be. A quick blast of Hardest Button to Button closed the set, and after a bow Jack and Meg walked off arm in arm. 

The encore began with a mellow, almost caberet version of I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself, quickly followed by This Protector, Black jack Davey, In the Cold, Cold Night and Ball and Buiscuit. The White Stripes were clearly enjoying themselves at that stage, and after a quick break they returned for a second encore. 

Jack began by sitting at the piano and playing a stripped back version of Fell In Love With A Girl. It’s impressive how he takes the time to reinvent his own songs from time to time, and this was a case when it really worked well. Jack had a fresh burst of energy at that stage and the blues medleys kept coming. A quick nod to Meg and suddenly Screwdriver turned into I Think I Smell A Rat. By this stage Meg and Jack had wrung every last drop out of the crowd and almost as a thank you to the audience belted through Seven Nation Army. 

If Hobart really doesn’t get its share of international acts, it’s doubtful that anyone at the White Stripes would care. It’s going to take something special to top that.