Every Story Has to Have a Problem

The rain.

Storms started moving over the Red Rocks Morrison, CO venue during Curtis Harding's set (the opening act for this leg of Jack White's tour). I began to pray. I had made a vow to myself to be more relaxed about this show, to just Go With the Flow. I'd gotten Early Entry this time around which made that a much more attainable goal over the last time Jack came through town on his Blunderbuss tour. That was a cluster of a gate situation I was all too happy to not have to re-live. This time I just wanted to Enjoy the Show. And it appeared we would.

Front and center, what more could I ask for? Lazaretto slip mat and limited Rob Jones show poster in hand, 'I was freaking, I was ready to go!'

But the dead weather surrounding us was threatening to ruin an almost too-good-to-be-true experience. If the lightning and rain ended up shutting this show down, I was going to be very bummed, no lie. We'd already sat through one little microburst earlier in the evening, sufficiently soaking anyone who hadn't thought ahead (us) to bring a parka or umbrella. And according to the radar pictures we pulled up on our phones (ah technology!), more was in store. I prayed harder. Please God don't let the rain ruin this show!

The lightning surrounding the venue was picking up in intensity. Heavy rain drops started to fall. The temperature had dropped at least 10 more degrees and the wind picked up. Jack and Company took to the stage. Was this going to happen? How long would it last? (the rain or the show) Stop thinking! time for High Ball Stepper. HOLY SHIT! I can't believe I'm standing here for this! It's happening! Lightning. Please don't pull the plug! literally! Roadies sopping up the rain pouring onto the stage. They had their work cut out for them that night.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

The deluge intensified. Dead Leaves. Jack gets a little smile on his face and I can tell it's on now. 'Every story has to have a problem'. Here it was. This was his challenge. Hold on folks, we're in for a ride. 'We'll play as long as they let us'. Thank God! best words he could have spoken. sit back and relax. oh wait! get up and dance! this is Jack freakin' White! He slips, he almost falls. It's not the first time. He starts to mess with one of the buckles on his (infamous) gorgeous white boots. I scream to my friends 'He's going to take his shoes off!' I get a few 'ok, crazy' looks. Vindication when he sits down and removes both of them, as well as his socks. Oh shit! We're getting a Barefoot in the Rain Show!!!!

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

Just One Drink. Wow. The band is on fire.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

The rain continues to pour. Roadies continue to mop. We don't care. 'We're all in this together' and if we 'were 20 years old, we'd remember this show'. Hotel Yorba. I'm scream/singing right back to the stage. Haunting fiddle intro into Temporary Ground. Lillie Mae's beautiful voice. Girl crush in full effect now.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

Weep Themselves to Sleep- cool! Clint will be so happy! he loves that song. The rain and the fog and the lights merged and swirled around the band, creating this effect that I can't even quite explain but it was purely magical, almost like shaking up a snow globe and watching the swirl of 'snow'. OMG! he's gonna play I Fought Piranhas.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

NO FREAKING WAY!!!! I can die a happy woman right now. Same Boy... oh no, I might cry. Top Yourself. Meh. Hold up! you're blowing my mind! Three Women. Meh. Oh wait! this is catchy. Lawdy, lawdy, lawdy, lawd!

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

Blunderbuss- I did NOT see that coming. We are Going to be Friends- shit, now I am crying. Why does this always happen with this song????? Alone in my Home... ELECTRIC!!!! By now the roadies are trying to wrap pedal boards in a roll of saran from one of the venues kitchen carts.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

Screwdriver! I never want this to end!!!! Ball and Biscuit! HOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYY SHIIIIIIZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!! he's HANGING UPSIDE DOWN!!!!!!!! PLAYING GUITAR!!!!!!!!!!!! RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't take much more!

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

 ... and break

We look around at one another. We're all a bit wild-eyed. And wet. It doesn't matter. The storms appear to have passed. We begin to chant. AHHHHH! AH! AH! AH! AHHH! AHHHHHHH! (that's to the tune of 7NA in case you didn't know) Stage is mopped. Equipment is wiped down. Guitars are tuned. Here comes the band. OK, let's do this again.

Icky!!!!! FINALLY! A song I'd yet to see performed live (IT tour cancelled pre-Red Rocks date in '07). Oh Ikey! work your magic on those keys! 

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

And he did. Mid-song they split into Miserlou. Hell yes! Dick Dale this stage up!

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

Back to Icky, right into Lazaretto. Blistering. All I could have hoped for and then some. By now we have T.V. action. Oh snap. He's combing his hair! I can't believe this guy. Dead stare into our direction.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

Steps up to the microphone and launches into Would You Fight For My Love. Stunning. Hot damn you #sexybeast. I could do this every night. Are you Steady now? We're about to be. My jaw hurts from smiling so much.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

OH MY FUCKING GOD HE'S PLAYING SUZY LEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the 13 times I've seen Jack, I've NEVER heard that live. What a show. Oh. Sadness. Here come's 7NA for real. Tick tock, tick tock, it's 11 o'clock. Past Red Rocks curfew even I believe so I consider us lucky to have had the set list we've had. But don't go Jack! We were just getting started! OH MY GAWWWWWWDDDDDD!!!!! KAY'S DOWN!!!!!

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

HE'S SOLOING ON THE FLOOR! I've seen it all.

Photo by David James Swanson, courtesy of Third Man Records

God bless you Jack White.

And the rain? An absolute answer to prayer.