White Stripes w/ The Greenhornes
Cincinnati Music Hall
September 12, 2005
Detroit Venue Equivalent: Masonic Temple

(SPOILER ALERT: If you do not want to know what is likely to be played at the upcoming Detroit shows; please don't read this article.)

About mid-way through their summer/fall tour, supporting their album “Get Behind Me Satan”, the White Stripes delivered to an enthusiastic crowd in Cincinnati of about 3,000 people.

The infamous ex-husband and wife (or brother and sister... if you really don’t want to believe the truth) rocked out, and threw some surprises into their 95 minute set, which favored songs from the group’s last two albums.

Guitarist/ lead singer Jack White ripped through the classic-rock sounding riffs of “Dead Leaves & The Dirty Ground” to open the show; with drummer Meg White showing us why she is the more entertaining of the two members. The drummer comes off as a bit superior and snobbish onstage, but her attitude and presence (as well as some stellar drumming) forms the backbone of the band.

After “Dead Leaves”, the band launched into the 2003 song “Black Math”, and the lead-off single from “Satan”, “Blue Orchid”. After a strong start, the band started to show off their different sides. Everything from xylophones, to triangles were used throughout the set.

They split up the sets into 35-40 minute blocks, with small 5 minute breaks in between. At the end of the first portion of the show, the Stripes dove into an old local Detroit favorite, “Hotel Yorba”, before coming back out during the second portion, with Elephant’s “The Hardest Button to Button”.

The crowd in the immaculate Music Hall were definitely into the popular as well as the obscure songs; with more mellow songs, such as “My Nurse”, and “I Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” getting as much applause as the current single, “My Doorbell”. Though Jack White’s stage presence is goofy and awkward at best; the band survived a weird story from the guitarist, and went on with the set.

The crowd seemed like it was waiting for the song to bring it all home; and with the set closer “Seven Nation Army”, the fans walked out satisfied. Jack’s riff and Meg’s frenetic drumming made the show interesting, and should be a good time for anyone going to the Detroit shows September 30 through October 2nd. A not to miss show!