Opening with “Heavy Soul” from their 2002 The Big Come Up, the Black Keys punched through the air with force. The choppy guitar chords between alternating guitar riffs were like a call and response with Dan Auerbach vocals.
When the founding duo Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney hit the stage it was electric with blues driven riffs that took over the arena instantly. And it didn’t let up.
Their hard driving beat continued with “Fever,” then “Gold on the Ceiling.” It kept the crowd’s energy at peak octane. Notable was “Have Love, Will Travel,” the 1960 Richard Berry & the Pharaohs song that has been covered by many. But The Black Keys version stands out as theirs.
After, they launched into “Just Couldn’t Tie Me Down,” “Next Girl,” and “Howlin’ for You” from their 2010 Brother release. In all they played five cuts from that release, later performing “Tighten Up” and closing the set with “She’s Long Gone.” More represented in this show than the new release Peaches! as they only played one song from it; “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire.”
Framed by a hugely lit The Black Keys marquee as the backdrop, the stage was a lighting spectacle. As visually dynamic as their sonic power. A certain juxtaposition between their gritty roots and rock spectacle.
The band consisted of guitarist Barrie Cadogan (Paul Weller, Primal Scream and Little Barrie), bassist Andrew Gabbard (Buffalo Killers), percussionist Chris St. Hilaire (The London Souls) and pianist Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zipper).
Other hits performed included “Lo/Hi,” “Wild Child,” “You Got to Lose,” and The Stooges “I Wanna Be Your Dog”. The latter was a real scorcher. Mathus belted out an impressive harmonica solo. The encore were two of their hits from El Camino, “Little Black Submarines” and “Lonely Boy.”
The Black Keys return to North American for the final leg of their 2026 Peaches! Tour. And it is a concert not to miss. Click here for ticket and date information.
Dan Auerbach: Lead vocals and electric guitar
Patrick Carney: Drums and percussion
Barrie Cadogan: Guitar and backing vocals
Andrew Gabbard: Bass guitar
Chris St. Hilaire: Drums/percussion and instrumentation
Jimbo Mathus / piano harp
Set List:
Heavy Soul 2002 The Big Come Up
Fever 2014 Turn Blue
Gold on the Ceiling 2011 El Camino
Have Love Will Travel (Richard Berry & the Pharaohs cover)
Just Couldn’t Tie Me Down 2004 Rubber Factory
Next Girl 2010 Brothers
Lo/Hi 2019 Let’s Rock
Everlasting Light 2010 Brothers
Howlin’ for You 2010 Brothers
Wild Child 2022 Dropout Boogie
Weight of Love 2014 Turn Blue
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire (Willie Griffin cover) 2026 Peaches!
Tighten Up 2010 Brothers
You Got to Lose (Earl Hooker cover)
I Wanna Be Your Dog (The Stooges cover) Jimbo Mathus harmonica solo
She’s Long Gone 2010 Brothers
Encore:
Little Black Submarines 2011 El Camino
Lonely Boy 2011 El Camino
Tour Dates:
Sep 19, 2026 Skinny Dennis Nashville, TN
Oct 10, 2026 Turning Stone Resort Casino Verona, NY
Oct 11, 2026 Cross Insurance Arena Portland, ME
Oct 13, 2026 Avenir Centre Moncton
Oct 14, 2026 Scotiabank Centre Halifax
Oct 16, 2026 Place Bell Laval
Oct 17, 2026 Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa
Oct 18, 2026 Caesars Windsor Windsor
Oct 20/21, 2026 The Salt Shed Chicago
Revisit our interview with Dan Auerbach:
