The Black Keys show how it's done when their "Dropout Boogie" tour stops off in Atlanta to a massive crowd.
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
The Black Keys, aka the musical partnership of Dan Auerback and Patrick Carney, have been rocking together since 2001. With several Grammy's to their name, The Keys have quickly become modern legends.
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
Currently supporting their latest album, Dropout Boogie, The Black Keys have been on the road since early July. Stop at stadiums, amphitheaters, and headlining slots at festivals scatter the country.
Early James 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
Birmingham, Alabama's very own Early James kicked off the night with a stellar performance. Just over a week after his sophomore album, Strange Time To Be Alive, released, James got to showcase his work in front of several thousand fans. The album, produced by none other than The Black Key's Dan Auerbach, has received critical and fan acclaim. Bluesy, rambunctious, and earnest, James and company's performance was a treat for the first of three acts.
Band of Horses 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
Taking the stage shortly after Early James was South Carolina's Band of Horses. Eager to jam, this quintet of southern-rockers wasted no time getting things loud. With a ton of critical and fan success themselves, Band of Horses elevated the entire show with their presence. If you're a fan of Drive-By Truckers, you're sure to be in for a treat.
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
The Black Keys easily put on one of the best shows I've seen all year. Entering on stage after a short video clip, a warning from a concerned "good Christian patriot" about the dangers of rock'n'roll music, The Keys kicked it into high gear. Between their musical prowess and huge production backing them, there was nothing standing in their way. The audience also seemed to agree, belting along and head-banging throughout much of the night.
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
Auerback and Carney are two objectively good musicians. Dan's distorted, scuzzy guitar playing and Patrick's tight drum work would have been plenty to suffice. You add in a rotating cast of touring musicians? Perfection. The audio was also mixed to a T.
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
Being as big of a tour as it was, there was sure to be some amazing production. Being the big concert nerd that I am, I always love to count how many lighting fixtures a band brings along on tour. This time however, I lost track. There was easily over 200 lighting and video fixtures on stage.
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
With 11 studio albums under their belt, The Black Keys had plenty of songs, and hit songs, for their fans. From classics like "Gold on the Ceiling" to new radio hits like "Wild Child" to a selection of older blues classics, there was something for every fan. One pair of covers, "Poor Black Mattie" and "Goin' Down South" were extra special as former R.L. Burnside guitarist Kenny Brown joined the band on stage. The full setlist is below.
1. I Got Mine
2. Howlin' For You
3. Fever
4. Tighten Up
5. Your Touch
6. It Ain't Over
7. Gold on the Ceiling
8. Stay All Night (Junior Kimbrough cover)
9. Poor Black Mattie (R.L. Burnside cover)
10. Goin' Down South (R.L. Burnside cover)
11. Poor Boy Long Ways From Home (John Lee Hooker cover)
12. Crawlin' Kingsnake (John Lee Hooker cover)
13. Have Love, Will Travel (Richard Berry cover)
14. Lo/Hi
15. Everlasting Light
16. Next Girl
17. Ten Cent Pistol
18. Your Team Is Looking Good
19. Wild Child
20. She's Long Gone
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21. Little Black Submarines
22. Lonely Boy
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
The Keys are only half way through the "Dropout Boogie" tour, with well over a dozen dates left on tour. A trip out to Huntsville's new Orion Amphitheater and then Joe Walsh's VetsAid 2022 sandwich their remaining shows.
8/28 Huntsville, AL — Orion Amphitheater^*
8/30 Charleston, SC — Credit One Stadium^*
9/01 Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek^*
9/03 Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center^*
9/06 Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage^*
9/07 Detroit, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre^*
9/09 Cleveland, OH — Blossom Music Center^*
9/23 Las Vegas, NV — iHeartRadio Music Festival 2022
9/30 Memphis, TN — Mempho Music Festival 2022
10/02 Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena^~
10/03 Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena^~
10/05 Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre^~
10/08 Long Angelos, CA — The Kia Forum^~
10/09 Highland, CA — Yaamava' Resort & Casino^~
10/10 Phoenix, AZ — AK Chin Pavilion^~
10/13 Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP^~
10/15 Houston, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion^~
10/17 Austin, TX — Moody Center^~
10/18 Dallas, TX — Dos Equis Pavilion^~
10/13 Columbus, OH — VetsAid 2022
^ with Band of Horses
* with Early James
~ with The Velveteers
The Black Keys 8/27/2022 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Dylan Basden Photography
The Black Keys have nothing left to prove. After over two decades together as a band and countless shows, what more can be said? An incredible pair of musicians with an incredible production, I can't recommend the "Dropout Boogie" tour enough.
