Are You With Me or Against Me?

If you've been paying attention, you know there's pretty much nothing I love more than 1) traveling 2) concerts and 3) Jack White concerts. So, when a good friend made the offer of a Jack White Madison Square Garden ticket and a bed to crash in if I could just get my ass to NYC, I was all over it. Any true music fan recognizes the pull of that legendary venue and WHAT an opportunity to return to the Big Apple.

NYC from the air, Madison Square Garden in view

While traveling to NY at the end of January had its own Risks (weather, illness, bone seeping COLD), the Reward outweighed them all. Adequately supplied with my outerwear ski gear, hand warmers, multiple fleecy layers, and a stockpile of zinc & vitamin c, I embarked on my #ThirdManAdventures with hope in my heart.

Layers don't fail me now

Reacquainted with friends old and new, the day spent in the cold, cold line passed ever so slowly. We fans who dared to line it grew closer as a group, literally, because by the end we were in tight huddle for warmth! When security finally searched and cleared us for entry, I was happiest of all just to have the feeling return to my fingers. Fun fact: I've never worn ski pants to a concert before. Anywhoo...

Ladies in Waiting

With utmost thanks to my bevy of beautiful friends, I was able to procure a much-coveted rail position. Front & Center. This was how it was going to go down.

That's What's Up, Photo Courtesy of Ivana Powers

Run the Jewels stormed the stage right on time and delivered one hell of an opening set.

The utter joy El-P felt in having his native NYer's dream come true- performing at this venue- was evident and endearing. Hot off their 2014 critically acclaimed return to the rap scene, El-P and Killer Mike spun rhymes so tight you couldn't keep from moving your feet. The surprise appearance of Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against The Machine fame on 'Close Your Eyes (and Count to Fuck) made it clear, this night was not to be fucked with. #LieCheatStealKillWin what? Everybody's doing it!

Curtains drawn. Let's do this.

While many were praying we wouldn't see a repeat of his infamous Radio City Music Hall departure, a (small) part of me was hoping for a blow out rant just so I could feel I'd gotten a true Jack White NY experience (it confuses him you know). The Pandora live stream however pretty much ensured a solid set list, which was delivered with legendary aplomb by the Rock God himself.

Photo Courtesy of David James Swanson

Kicked off by the almost expected 'Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground', the set list was heavy with solo material. 'High Ball Stepper', 'Lazaretto' and 'Temporary Ground' and got our blood properly warmed. Lillie Mae's honeyed vocals bring such a smile to my face- I just love her- such a pixie.

Photo Courtesy of David James Swanson

A performance peppered with classics from his White Stripes/ Raconteurs days, 'Cannon/Broken Boy Soldier' and 'Astro' served as stand outs while the 'Black Math' teaser was almost too much to take. Aural first aid (and as perfect) as they were, I personally could have done without the crowd-pleasing renditions of 'Top Yourself' and 'Steady as She Goes' (not that I don't love them, I've just heard them a ton throughout my years of fan tenure). My hopes for a Slowly-Turning-Into-You-300 MPH-Catch-Hell- Blues remained that, but 'We Are Going to Be Friends' brought me to tears and gave me a quick chance to reflect on how far we've all come since we were once in the Little Room.

Returning from a brief, curtained intermission where I swear they moved some of the equipment closer to the audience (Daru I'm looking in your direction), White and company delivered a blistering 'Black Bat Licorice', bolstered by Q-Tip, that left my jaw on the floor. Tribe Called Quest cover 'Excursions' followed cementing the Third Man's Ode to New York Hip Hop theme of the evening.

Photo Courtesy of David James Swanson

White's latest single 'Would You Fight For My Love' took the night in my opinion. There's just something about Jack, paused from his constantly erupted movements across the stage, taking the time to deliver these particular lyrics. As I, too, seem to constantly find myself questioning why or when it became cool to NOT show enthusiasm for things, this song from the Lazaretto album strikes a chord in my heart. It was also so strange to hear the Fertita change in keys flavor as this was my first post-Ikey Owens show. Made ever-so-special to me by the fact that the video was recorded in Denver's own Cruise Room bar, it was an extremely emotional number to say the least. The rambling melodies of 'Blunderbuss', enhanced by Fats Kaplan's exemplary steel pedal skills, were quite beautiful as well.

Photo Courtesy of David James Swanson

Culminating his (our?) evening with a quick crowd-surfing-esque jaunt, sadness descended upon hearing the oh-so-familiar strums of the now stadium favorite 7NA. It was over all too soon. Another #ThirdManAdventures comes to an end... so glad I had 'nothing better to do'.