Wednesday 13 June 2007

The Rivoli Review




Knackered, beaten and dehydrated. I returned home from a rousing White Stripes gig in Brockley, South East London last night which has rendered me useless today.

The venue, as you will see was the most amazing 1950s Ballroom complete with chandeliers, Chinese lanterns and rich, red velvet drapes. The venue screamed "White Stripes" from the moment we walked in.

So in the sweltering heat (so hot, the print on my t-shirt started to become sticky) Jack and Meg too to the stage to play a blistering, breathless set compiled of classics ("Joleen", "Hotel Yorba" and closing number; "Seven Nation Army" receiving rapturous ovations) and material from the forthcoming album of which "Icky Thump" and highly-likely 2nd single "Effect and Cause" getting the biggest cheers. This was The White Stripes stripped back to a raw and emotive stage most thought they'd turned their back on. There were no elaborate staging, no fancy interpretations of the red/white/black dress code, no fashionable facial furniture. This was clearly a chance for all concerned to relive the early days of the 100 Club and to that effect, most notably the temperature, they succeeded.

So, off they march towards Wireless, no heating problems there, it's supposed to be chucking it down tomorrow. Ha ha!

Ps: The photos are action shots, they are not blurry....believe that and you'll believe anything.

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