An Unholy Hypnotic Sermon

Not often am I so mesmerized by an entire concert experience that my mind literally combusts and I’m unable to speak after witnessing the performance. Seeing the Dead Weather play was like witnessing a religious ceremony unfold in front of my eyes.

The congregation gathered at the pulpit (Seattle’s Capital Hill Block Party Main Stage) and clapped, chanted and threw their arms in the air to pay witness to Alison Mosshart from the Kills, guitarist and keyboard player Dean Fartita from Queens of the Stone Age, bassist Jack Lawrence from the Raconteurs and of course, this generation’s equivalent of Reverend Martin Luther King of Rock n Roll, Jack White.

Eyes were drawn to immediate focal point front woman, Mosshart. You couldn’t help but become hypnotized as she swung, shook and writhed around like a female version of the Lizard King. At one point, she stood upon the sound monitors, lost her balance, and crashed to the floor while making it all look intentional.

The band ebbed and flowed through a dynamic set that mainly comprised of songs from their last record, Horehound. They only played three tunes off of Sea of Cowards which was a bit disappointing as it’s been on the top of my playlist since its release in early May.

The unquestionable highlight of the show was when Jack came out from behind the drum kit to play guitar and share vocals with Alison on one mic, Kills style. As they sang the line “Just because you caught me, does that make it a sin?” all bodies became enveloped into the intensity of their interaction. I do not think the longing in her voice and the pained look in her eyes could be falsely manufactured…not by anyone. Clearly, nobody is safe from being glamoured by Mr. White. The entire crowd stood watching and listening as if in a trance. It was pure, beautiful and unholy.

After the encore, the band stood together and took a bow. Jack said, “Thank you and God bless.” No, Jack, thank YOU and let it be known that the Dead Weather blessed us in ways that only the Gods of Rock can.