Akron natives Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have never been to a concert at Quicken Loans Arena. That will change this Tuesday as their rock duo the Black Keys headlines tonight at The Q.
The band has been rocking arenas on their latest tour. Their newest single, “Gold on the Ceiling,” has been chosen as the theme song for the NCAA’s March Madness tournament. Next month they will be co-headlining the ubiquitous Coachella music festival in California alongside Dr. Dre, Radiohead and Snoop Dogg.
Despite their success, singer-guitarist Auerbach and drummer Carney insist that not much has changed.
“We don’t change anything, whether we’re playing on a small stage or a big stage,” said Auerbach.
“We set up close together,” adds Carney. “We play the same way we’ve always played.”
The band’s road crew uses a measuring tape in order to maintain a consistent distance between the guitars amps and the drum kit when setting up, somewhere between 15 to 20 feet.
The Black Keys have had what is probably their most successful year yet since they formed in Akron back in 2001. Their “Brothers” album won three Grammy Awards in 2011. Their latest release, “El Camino,” is doing well after debuting in the Top 5 on the Billboard album chart and amidst glowing reviews in December.
The show on Tuesday starts at 7:30pm at The Q on East Sixth Street and Huron Road in Cleveland. Tickets are available at the bx office, Discount Drug Mart stores and theqarena.com. The Arctic Monkeys will be opening for The Black Keys.
