Down the Rabbit Hole with Jack White
The day is here. Ever since I went to Jack White's gig at the Garage in March, I’ve been most patiently awaiting for another chance to experience it again.
This time at Eventim Apollo. A much larger venue hence more people. As usual, I strategised but didn’t overkill (oh man was I sorry for not going all in). I went in the queue at four o'clock sharp, the line already snaked around a few bends. My heart sank. "Probably not going to be front and centre, maybe second row? " I started counting all the heads in front of me, since I had plenty of time on my hands till the door opened at seven.
Rabbit head stripper tee-shirt.
The afternoon sun was beating down on us fans. I was wearing a child size, the White Stripes's “We’re going to be friends” tee-shirt, with “Who’s with me?” button on my straw hat. Brought a book but it was impossible to read under the glaring sun, so I indulged in my favourite pastime: people watching. That gave way to tee-shirts envy and shoes envy.
These are a few of my favourite shoes.
Friend came, we obediently placed our phones in the pouches (it’s a phone free event, I think all concerts should enforce it). Here we went! I told my friend to aim at the left-hand side of the stage! “Why?” She asked while we were walking fast (“you can’t run”, a security guard said). “Jack will definitely play around Carla, and the drums set is on the left-hand side!” My friend laughed “Only you would know these things!”
I was right on the money! We were second row on the left-hand side facing the stage, with Carla the awesome drummer right in front of us. Jack on guitar would often come to this part of the stage and they would lock eyes, giving out cues to play off each other, the musical chemistry was electric!
Jack made us wait, for a very long time. The giant screen on stage showed pre-recorded teasers with Jack kept popping in and out doing various tasks: typing on a Royal typewriter; peeping at us audience for two seconds; fiddling with the countdown clock. Faint Burtonesque. The audience screamed when Jack's finger moved the timer closer to zero, sighed when it got turned back. I moaned because "why the hell is this taking so damn long! Give me music already!"
After a decade, Jack started off with Sixteen Saltines. It was great that no glaring screens were over my head and blocking the stage! The audience were a lot gentler on our side of the stage. I saw people at the centre crowd surfed then got dragged off by security guards. I was happy to hear “I Cut Like a Buffalo” then “Ball and Biscuit” (the name of this blog was inspired by listening to this singular song on repeat for a week in Rome). When I thought this setlist couldn’t get any better, I heard “Freedom at 21” and “That Black Bat Licorice.”
When the predictable “Seven Nation Army” came up, I felt tightening at the waist, someone's arm wrapped around me then shoved me to the front railing. Elsa, the blond girl who I had a conversation with during the wait, tilted her head and winked at me. It was exhilarating.