The Black Keys played the Santa Barbara Bowl hard in a sold-out show on June 13, bringing the crowd to a joyful climax with the earworm “Lonely Boy.” In other news, I’m old.
When I went to get my wrist band for beer, the security guard didn’t even pretend to look at my ID. Instead, she said, “We have free earplugs if you want them.” Thanks. Have you started adding protein powder to the beer, like they do at Starbucks? Can I get a rental Rascal to ride to the bathroom every half hour? Anyhow, they’re at the merch counter if you need them. Good quality.
The show took place on a relatively stripped-down stage, a “The Black Keys” sign up in bulb letters. Psychedelic graphics that looked like cellular paisley occasionally lit up the backdrop, but otherwise it was all Dan Auerbach on his guitar and Patrick Carney on his drums (and a tour band of four other guys backing them up).