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Raconteurs / Vampire Weekend Live: Eden Project, Cornwall

03rd July 2008 | by Gavin Riley

In a line-up muddied with middle-of-the-road mush and reformed has-beens, the choice to pick the Raconteurs for the The Eden Sessions was certainly the bravest pick of them all.

But with help from Vampire Weekend, the show put on by the two American outfits were enough to illuminate those biomes in the fading light.

Opening up proceedings were Vampire Weekend. Perhaps stung by previous criticisms levelled at their entertainment factor, the Brooklynites delivered a great set of just about every song they've written. Frontman Ezra was particularly talkative, impressing the audience with his "Canadian Tuxedo", referencing his top and bottom denim outfit, whilst plucking out hits from their self-titled debut album. Playing for an hour, the standout tracks were 'A-Punk' and an audience assisted version of 'One', that saw just about everyone screaming "Blake's Got A New Face".

The Raconteurs took to the stage, also fresh from their Glastonbury appearance, and settled down straight away delivering with class the opening tracks from their latest album 'Consolers Of The Lonely'.

It's often said that Jack White created the Raconteurs supergroup to shed himself of his red and white wardrobe, and tonight, he comes out looking like the alternative country star that he is, with sideburns longer than an Eden biome.

But its the music of the Raconteurs that has really advanced, with the group no longer limited to the ten-song repertoire that limited their previous expeditions. Indeed with the release of 'Consolers....' the band have the luxury of picking and choosing the songs for their 90 minute performance.

Any band that features the likes of Brendan Benson, Jack White and Patrick Keeler is going to be successful. But with songs like 'Salute Your Solution' and 'Steady As She Goes', nothing can quite prepare the audience for how mind-blowingly good the Raconteurs are both on record and live. It's just a travesty that the latter song isn't one of the most revered modern songs of all time.

But that injustice does nothing to quell 5000 odd Raconteurs fans. They saw the light aeons ago.

Comments

FightstarCharlie

commented 5 months ago

I loved this review, it was really well put together, but what the **** was the first paragraph. Reformed has-beens? I presume you're talking about the Verve, a band who have just headlind Glastonbury? One of the most iconic bands in British history.

You're wrong. I dont know how you can write them off just like that.

However i love the Raconteurs and Vampire Weekend blew me away, so the next seven paragraphs were superb ;)

Gavin Riley

commented 5 months ago

Would it annoy you if I was referring to Bill Bailey?

We'll have to see what 'Fourth' is like, but my suspicion - having heard a few of their new tracks - is that they've taken a few leaps backwards.

Elisha

commented 1 month ago

Any band that features the likes of Brendan Benson, Jack White and Patrick Keeler is going to be successful.

What the hell? I like how you fail to include the best bassist of our generation, Mr. 'Little' Jack Lawrence! His bass lines are one of the best parts of their songs! Without him, they would be like seedless sunflower seeds. Give him some credit. Please.