After months of anxious waiting, we finally got to see Jack White not just once, but twice in Paris! Time to share this fabulous story. Gather round, friends, this is the tell of a lifetime!
Jack White is full of surprises. His latest album, No Name, appeared out of nowhere—literally: Third Man Records customers in Nashville and London were given a mysterious white LP. No fuss, no warning, but at the end, pure Jack White bliss.
His tour was just as unpredictable: the man announced a battery of pop-up shows in small venues only a few days in advance. From Europe, it was thrilling. But when the tour crossed the Atlantic, we were suddenly struck with massive anxiety: would we be able to get some tickets in time?
Jack White could’ve taken over a stadium, but at this stage of his artistic life, this was simply not fun enough for the man. So, he picked two of the smallest venues in Paris: La Cigale and Le Trianon— both gorgeous old theaters whose walls were about to tremble with fury. For three nights, this was the place to be. We could attend two and that was more than what we’d hoped for!
Day 1: Jack White at La Cigale
Jack knows how to please his fans. Nothing screams « special event » like a pop-up store just down the street right before his gigs.
Visiting the Third Man’s Record Pop-Up Store
We thought we were coming for two concerts but, but a few days before, we got a surprise announcement: Third Man Records was to set up an ephemeral shop filled with exclusive tour merch, rare vinyl, and, for the first time in France, Third Man Hardware.
Of course, fans rushed in like kids in a candy store, snatching up test pressings, TMR’s signature tri-colored vinyl, and other super rare collectibles. We were in heaven… until we found out, hours later, that Jack White himself had casually dropped by while we were away.
The pop-up store being dangerously close to Babka Zana, a Parisian pastry heaven, we naturally bankrupted ourselves on chocolate babka to forget about this… tragic incident.
How was the first show?
The night started with Human Toys, a burlesque-punk duo with more energy than a caffeinated Jack Russell. Their set began with a loud « F*** Trump! » and of course, the crowd was immediately sold.
As soon as Jack White and his band entered the room, the floor started shaking like a trampoline. It was almost like a heavyweight champion entered the ring. The show began and everyone went wild. Jack’s footwork was insane: he was weaving across the stage with the grace of a boxer and the ferocity of a possessed man. Mindblowing.
Dominic Davis, smiling ear to ear like he was in Disneyland, laid down grooves that shook us to the bones. Patrick Keeler kept the heartbeat steady with some killer drumming. We especially loved Johnny (giving his looks his name must be Ramones) who was playing the maracas like a true punk-rock shaman.
The setlist was a carefully curated blend of new and old. What makes it even more impressive is that Jack picks the songs on the fly, without warning, and the other musicians have to follow along as best they can. And they do so with stunning mastery. Honestly, we have no idea how they pull it off, we’d be completely paralyzed!
The No Name tracks hit hard, Archbishop Holmes, in particular, a fantastic occasion for Jack White to showcase his supernatural guitar talent. But so many more bangers were played, judge for yourself:
Intro Jam
Old Scratch Blues
That’s How I’m Feeling
Fell in Love With a Girl (The White Stripes song)
It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking)
Little Bird (The White Stripes song)
Hotel Yorba (The White Stripes song)
Broken Boy Soldier (The Raconteurs song)
What’s the Rumpus?
I Cut Like a Buffalo (The Dead Weather song)
Cannon (The White Stripes song)
Little Cream Soda (The White Stripes song) (partial)
Teenage Head (Flamin’ Groovies cover) (partial, followed by « Cannon » reprise)
Sixteen SaltinesEncore:
Encore Jam
Lazaretto
Screwdriver (The White Stripes song)
Archbishop Harold Holmes
Tonight (Was a Long Time Ago)
Ball and Biscuit (The White Stripes song)
Underground
Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes song)
We were surprised there were no phone restrictions. But the audience, knowing full well Jack’s distaste for a sea of screens, played along. A few sneaky snapshots here and there (guilty!), but luckily, it was all about the music.
The band played for 1 hour and 20 minutes of pure rock ‘n’ roll. We ended up sweaty, breathless, and desperate for more. Lucky for us, this was just night 1.
Day 2: Jack White at Le Trianon
Day two started with a visit to the Louvre because we’re classy like that. Also, we needed a distraction from our post-gig exhaustion. A lot of coffee was involved. Boy, do we miss our twenties!
By the time we got to the queue, we had just enough caffeine in our veins to function like normal humans, which was great because we ended up meeting some truly lovely people. Jack White’s fanbase is peach. We swapped tour stories, debated the best White Stripes deep cuts, and collectively stressed over the future setlist, a true rock ‘n’ roll therapy session. Good times!
How was the second gig?
For night two, we switched things up. After surviving the trampoline-like floor of La Cigale, we opted for a change of perspective: the balcony. It was a whole different experience. The venue was stunning. Gorgeous red seats and an old-school theater vibe. The whole thing almost felt like stepping into a White Stripes music video. Which was utterly perfect.
The second night kicked off with Pogo Crash Control, a Parisian indie band specializing in punk metal, with three albums already under their belt. Their bass player is an absolute tornado on stage. She also happens to be the force behind the More Women On Stage movement. And you know us, that alone deserves a round of applause!
You could tell they were over the moon to be there. Most of their set was in French, a bold move, considering most of the music scene has sworn allegiance to English. But we loved hearing our mother tongue take center stage. That said, they made sure to flex their international muscles with their latest singles, Shallow Time and Don’t Get Sore, produced by Jon Markson.
Mark your calendars: their new album, Negative Skills, drops on March 28th. Don’t miss it!
Then, the lights dimmed, and the madness resumed. It was a pure audiophile dream: the sound was pristine, and for the first time, we could really hear Jack’s voice (because let’s be real, they do play very loud).
No time to breathe, no even time to blink. Song after song, Jack and his band delivered a relentless, super-powerful set. Very different from the first night, but just as energizing.
At some point, Jack unleashed Blue Orchid, followed by the most epic rendition of High Ball Stepper, and our brains promptly exploded. Then, for the encore, they tore through Ball and Biscuit and The Hardest Button to Button, reducing whatever was left of our minds to ashes. And just when we thought we couldn’t take anymore, Jack dived into the crowd and played Seven Nation Army while crowd-surfing. No words.
Old Scratch Blues
That’s How I’m Feeling
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground (The White Stripes song)
It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking) (followed by a snippet of an unknown song)
What’s Done Is Done
Top Yourself (The Raconteurs song)
Black Math (The White Stripes song)
The Passenger (Iggy Pop cover) (followed by « Black Math » reprise)
Morning at Midnight
Cannon (The White Stripes song) (with a snippet of Bob Dylan’s “Outlaw Blues”)
Let’s Build a Home (The White Stripes song) (followed by « Cannon » reprise)
Why Walk a Dog?
Blue Orchid (The White Stripes song)
High Ball StepperEncore:
Encore Rave Up
Steady, as She Goes (The Raconteurs song)
Fell in Love With a Girl (The White Stripes song)
Archbishop Harold Holmes
Ball and Biscuit (The White Stripes song)
The Hardest Button to Button (The White Stripes song)
Freedom at 21
Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes song)
Honestly, we’re not sure we’ll ever enjoy another rock concert as much as this one. If you haven’t seen this man and his band on stage, make sure you do: you’re in for a masterclass in rock ‘n’ roll.
PS: Want to see the cakes we baked for Jack White? Make sure to check out our Blunderetto Cheesecake, our Elephant Whoopie Pies, our Hotel Yorba Gingerbread House, and killer White Stripes Xmas beauty.
