Jack White has taken aim at “entitled” fans who expect “extra long” shows, arguing that his performances are rock gigs, not “a Marvel movie or a Vegas residency”.
- READ MORE: Jack White – ‘No Name’ review: surprise album is maestro’s punkiest outing since White Stripes
The former White Stripes frontman released his sixth solo album ‘No Name’ last August and is currently in the middle of a North American tour to support the record, with the guitarist set to play the first of two Brooklyn shows on Tuesday (February 11).
On Saturday (February 8), he took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the current state of fan expectations when it comes to setlist length and production values. “Been hearing a lot of chatter throughout the year of this glorious electric touring about how long our sets are “supposed to be” on stage,” he wrote. “As if the length of a show determines how “good” it is.”
“I know that we’re living in a current era where people like to say “so and so played for 3 hours last night!”, and brag about it the next day hahaha, I’ll let our fans know now that my mind has no intention of “impressing” y’all in that context. The Beatles and Ramones played 30 minute (ish) sets, and If I could, I would do the same at this moment in my performing life. That’s actually the kind of show I’d like to put on right now.”
He went on to discuss some fans feeling “entitled” to long shows due to high ticket prices. “I think you’re talking about an arena laser light show with pyro, huge screens with premade videos, singers flying over the crowd, t shirt cannons, etc, that’s not the kind of shows we’re performing.”
“There’s no setlist, and it’s not a marvel movie, or a Vegas residency, it’s rock and roll and it’s a living breathing organism,” he concluded. “See you in the hall tonight friends, love you all so much and thank you for coming to these shows, standing in line and paying your hard earned money to help this train keep rolling. And the crew and the boys in the band are loving y’all as much as me, we are grateful, thank you.”
White’s recent setlists have tended to run between 20 and 25 songs in length, incorporating songs from across his career, including The White Stripes and The Raconteurs.
NME caught his show at London’s Assembly Hall last September, which saw him touch on similar themes. “This is the kind of rock’n’roll you’re not gonna get at Wembley Stadium for £400!” he exclaimed at one stage.
Elsewhere, The White Stripes recently announced a 20th anniversary reissue for their fifth album ‘Get Behind Me Satan’. It will feature songwriting demos, alternate studio takes and live versions – you can purchase yours here.
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