Bonnaroo 2010: The Dead Weather
By Andy Keil
When rumors of Jack White’s new band, The Dead Weather started circulating over a year ago, it was referred to as a ‘side-project’ of his. Referring to The Dead Weather as simply a side project of Jack White is like saying Them Crooked Vultures is a Dave Grohl side-project. The Dead Weather are their own beast, their own band. They’re the band that Jack White would have started if he hadn’t fallen into the musical niche that was The White Stripes. Alison Mosshart deserves just as much credit, if not more, for the whirlwind that is a Dead Weather show.
With Mosshart on the mic with her signature howl paired with White’s commanding drumming and Dean Fertita’s fantastic guitar work all glued together by Jack Lawrence’s bass lines, a Dead Weather show is something provocative, something primal. Playing in front of an all black curtain with band members cloaked in black save for Mosshart’s leopard print top, the TDW powered through their set touching on songs from both of their albums and even tossing in a few covers most notable being “New Pony” originally by Bob Dylan.
After fourteen songs, the band left the stage leaving the large crowd around the main stage begging for more. With their return came “Blue Blood Blues” which is quite possibly the best track from their latest, Sea of Cowards. The last song, “Treat Me Like Your Mother” was a crowd favorite as Mosshart shouted “M-A-N-I-P-U-late” over the tempo change. Even with a day set sans light show, The Dead Weather absolutely owned the early afternoon crowd. Let’s hope they get a late night set if they’re on the bill next year.
Setlist:
Forever My Queen (Pentagram cover)
60 Feet Tall
Hang You From the Heavens
You Just Can’t Win (Them cover)
So Far From Your Weapon
I Cut Like A Buffalo
No Horse
A Child of a Few Hours Is Burning To Death (West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band cover)
The Difference Between Us
I’m Mad
Hustle & Cuss
Die By the Drop
New Pony (Bob Dylan cover)
Will There Be Enough Water?
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Blue Blood Blues
I Can’t Hear You
Treat Me Like Your Mother
