Photos of The Black Keys at 2023 Sing Out Loud Festival in St. Augustine, FL
QRO’s live review of The Black Keys at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Atlanta, GA on August 27th, 2022
Photos of The Black Keys at TD Garden in Boston, MA on October 11th, 2019
QRO’s review of The Black Keys at iHeartRadio Theater in New York, NY on June 9th, 2015
Photos of The Black Keys at 2015 Governors Ball in New York, NY
Photos of The Black Keys at 2013 BottleRock Festival in Napa, CA
Photos of The Black Keys at 2012 Catalpa Festival in New York, NY
Photos of The Black Keys at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX on April 25th, 2012
Photos of The Black Keys at 2012 Coachella Festival in Indio, CA
Photos of The Black Keys at Bell Centre in Montreal, PQ, Canada on July 11th, 2011
Photos of The Black Keys at 2010 Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal, PQ, Canada
Ever since their breakout near the start of this century/millennium, there’s been a push-pull at the heart of Akron’s The Black Keys, between their blues-rock bedrock and being a bigger modern band. They’ve gotten over-polished at times, and returned to their roots at others (such as 2021’s delta blues covers album, Delta Kream – QRO review). Ohio Players sees the group bring in some funk and more for good, if not amazing, results.
Photos of The Black Keys at 2009 Voodoo Experience in New Orleans, LA
Photos of The Black Keys at Terminal 5 in New York, NY on February 7th, 2009
Photos of The Black Keys at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn, NY on August 7th, 2008
Feeling a bit like they teamed up with Midnight Vultures-era Beck, numerous songs on Ohio marry the Players’ trademark blues-rock with a funky soul. Best is probably “Beautiful People (Stay High)”, but also the slow-hand love-soul “I Forgot To Be Your Lover”, upbeat “You’ll Pay”, and the funky finish “Every Time You Leave”. There are some throwbacks to their old days, such as procession opener “This Is Nowhere” and fuzzy blues “Please Me (Till I’m Satisfied)”. On the other hand, Ohio did not need to the two random airdropped in rap guest verses, Lil Noid’s in the otherwise interestingly sly-dark “Candy and Her Friends” and Juicy J in “Paper Crown” (which actually does also feature Beck).
Like any successful artist, the desire for the new clashes with the need to stay true to origins, and The Black Keys still navigate that as Ohio Players.
