The Dead Weather
Leeds Academy
23/10/09

 
Most of tonight’s sold out crowd are kidding themselves. Know why? Because they’re standing at the Academy, bursting at the seams, pretending to be fans of The Dead Weather. Now, there’s no doubt that the group has made waves with their debut album ‘Horehound’, with ‘Treat Me Like Your Mother’ receiving radical success, but there’s one reason alone why tonight’s venue has been ambushed by students, gang lads and patient girls. Jack White.
 
Tonight no matter what The Dead Weather does, the world centres around the White Stripe and his on-stage antics. Not because Jack White is such a legend of his generation and a guitar hero, but because he simply oozes onstage presence, even by controlling a band from a miniature drum kit. If we stand on our tip toes we can just about see the singer’s trademark hair, but the biggest surprise of the night comes when we quickly switch our interests to The Kills’ Alison Mosshart.
 
Almost billed as the anti-Kate Moss, Mosshart stands legs stretched, as the remainder of the band pushes through such a rhythm that our ear drums are blown away in seconds. Rarely has a group hit you so hard within seconds of appearing onstage- yet the band’s supergroup status has clearly been undersold. Mosshart growls, pumps and purrs her way across the stage, slightly reserved compared to her Kills persona, while screeching guitar solos courtesy of QOTSA‘s Dean Fertita gives the band a dirty BRMC vibe.
 
Sure, The Dead Weather may have one of the most famous musicians of the noughties as a member, but Jack’s plan to fade into the background succeeds as he bows with his bandmates for a final applause. Next time we won’t even be looking for the pale faced guitarist, but instead taking The Dead Weather as they come, and the crowds will still be spilling onto the streets.
 
Ruth Offord