Jack White dazzles Detroit, plus The Wood Bros, more

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Jack White’s “hometown” extravaganza lived up to its billing. Plus, view photos from Tamarack Fest, The Wood Brothers, GIG, Potionseller and more.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Spectacle: Jack White and band at Pine Knob on Saturday night. (Photo/David James Swanson)

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It was a Detroit rock show worthy of the city’s mighty rock ‘n’ roll legacy.

Jack White electrified 15,000-plus fans with an epic, 24-song fusillade at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston on Saturday night, from White Stripes classics (“Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” “Hotel Yorba,” “Icky Thump,” “Little Bird”), to Raconteurs gems (“Steady, As She Goes,” “Broken Boy Soldier”) to fresh tracks from his latest solo album (“Dollar Bill,” “G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs,” “Thick as Thieves,” “Derecho Demonico”).

It came after main-stage sets during the “mini-fest” by Detroit’s own Easy Action and Prostitute, as well as second-stage performances in the parking lot by Ty and Dori.

After declaring before “Hotel Yorba” that he would “razzle you, dazzle you,” White implored fans: “What you got inside of you, let it out tonight … say what you gotta say, Detroit, and do what you gotta do.”

What they did was cheer raucously (especially for the big hits), clap and sing along when so directed, and celebrate their Detroit rock hero until the final note of the iconic “Seven Nation Army,” after which the band – White, bassist Dominic Davis, drummer Patrick Keeler (wearing a “Grand Rapids Police” T-shirt) and keyboardist Bobby Emmett took their bows before leaving the stage.

Beloved Icon: Jack White (Photo/David James Swanson)

“He did a very good mix of White Stripes and solo songs,” one fan remarked. “He did fun, good stuff like jump up on the amp by the drum set and climb around the stage. I was very impressed with the entire show.” (View the full set list at setlist.fm.)

More than once, White embraced his classic rock roots, fueling guitar-organ duels that felt like they could have come from some lost Iron Butterfly concert footage. And with a Michigan crowd on hand, White certainly seemed totally in his element while unleashing screeching, wailing guitar leads.

“Is this the best f—ing rock ‘n’ roll show in a long time?” he asked at one point. The correct answer: Yes.

About 150 miles to the west, meanwhile, it was a much different vibe Saturday at Morley’s Tamarack Music Festival, with about 350 people (including musicians) relaxing to an impressive array of diverse Michigan acts alternating between two stages at the cozy affair that bills itself as “the best tiny music festival in the Mitten State.”

The Gasoline Gypsies, Black Jake & The Carnies, The Bootstrap Boys, K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, The Leprecons and more were part of the Saturday roster of bands, after an equally impressive Friday lineup at the homey festival with a devoted following hosted by the gregarious John and Dee Harvey.

It was a weekend that also featured a tour stop by The Wood Brothers at Warner Vineyards in Paw Paw, the return of GIG: The Art of Michigan Music (this time taking place during Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights Festival with performances by the Ben Daniels Band and more) with music-inspired photos and art, Potionseller hosting an album-release at Grand Rapids’ The Pyramid Scheme and Basic Comfort at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo.

Browse photos from all of these shows below, and check out separate coverage and galleries for these shows earlier in the week/month:
• Buddy Guy at Meijer Gardens (review and photos)
• Jason Newsted & The Chophouse Band at The Pyramid Scheme
• L.A. Guns at Warner Vineyards, Babe Rainbow at The Pyramid Scheme
• KALEO, Dawes at Meijer Gardens (review and photos)
• Kari Lynch at Lowell’s Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts
• Beaver Island Music Festival

PHOTO GALLERY: Jack White at Pine Knob Music Theatre
Photos by David James Swanson