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Black Keys at Co-op Live, Manchester – huge venue’s first taste of the blues

Charlie Watkinson - 16th May 2024

As a huge Black Keys fan, when I found out they were set to be the first band to grace the stage at Co-op Live, I just knew I had to be there.

Of course, it didn’t turn out that way.

After numerous cancellations and rescheduling, Elbow managed to nab the first spot, with the Black Keys taking to the stage the following night instead (several weeks later than their original show date).

Let me tell you though – they did not disappoint.

Having been one of the starry-eyed fans at Elbow the previous night, and been properly impressed by the sound quality inside the massive new Manchester venue, the thought of hearing Dan Auerbach’s epic bluesy riffs had me beyond excited.

Entering the stage playing the heavy-hitting I Got Mine, followed by one of their most well-known tracks, Gold on the Ceiling, it was evident we were in for a great show.

I have to admit, though, as a die-hard Black Keys fan, I couldn’t ignore how static the crowd was throughout the whole performance.

It almost seemed like the room was filled with people who didn’t know their songs, perhaps due to rescheduling and Co-op Live dishing out tickets to say ‘sorry for the inconvenience’?

The quiet stillness of the crowd did a great disservice to the electrifying talent on stage. Luckily, this didn’t matter too much.

Closing with their most popular song, Lonely Boy, I almost forgot how still the crowd had been as I watched the entire stadium howling, “DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH – DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH.”

Although I wanted more from the crowd, all in all, the Black Keys played a setlist fit for a super fan and gave Co-Op Live its first taste of the blues.

I just wished the audience had been Howlin’ for You all night, not so Tighten Up’… As you were.

Featured image: The Manc Group