I was reading some reviews of The Black Keys’ New York shows on 6 and 7 February @ Terminal 5 when I came across this one at Brooklyn Vegan. I wasn’t so much interested in the review as I was in the comments left by people who were at the show.
Overwhelmingly the punters were critical of the venue, police presence outside hassling people and of other members of the crowd in a way I’ve not seen posted to other reviews. Maybe it’s just a New York thing? This particular comment really caught my eye:
The Black Keys are great. They could not have worse fans. And as the band gets bigger, their fans get worse. At least 75 percent were drunk, rowdy frat boys.
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2009 5:49 PM
It reminded me of how I described the crowd at recent ‘Keys shows I’ve been to. Not so much the rowdiness factor, rather they were heavily male dominated. The only girls present seem to have been dragged along by their boyfriends. I’m certainly guilty of that, in the past. I’d reckon recent shows have been more like 90% guys.
I’ve been thinking about why this is because, anecdotally, I’m sure the boy/girl ratio was different in years gone past. Come to think of it, I was actually introduced to the band by a female friend.
Some possible reasons for the demographic:
- Girls don’t like the heavy thump blues
- Girls don’t like power chords
- There aren’t enough melodies
- Dan and Pat are married
- Girls aint into a full beard
- Dan and Pat don’t dance
- Dan and Pat don’t make gossip mags regularly
- Dan and Pat aren’t dressed for the fashion conscious
- The band plays a much harder edged sound on stage compared to their records
- There’s already too many guys at gigs which makes them too blokey and not so appealing
The lack of girls definitely gives the gigs a different edge. I’m sure the band would simply love their music to appeal to as many as possible.
Maybe the Brooklyn Vegan comment is right: as the band does get more popular they simply draw in male fans just looking for heavy riffs who miss the subtlety of the band and their attitude.
It’s going to be very interesting who turns out to Dan’s solo gigs and whether this softer sound attracts more ladies.
Over to you girls, what do you think?
Whoa! I beg to differ. Lots of girls LOVE beards and long hair. And lots of girls love Dan!
But there are a shortage of ladies at their shows and that’s because most chicks are to busy listening to latest ABC gum on MTV. They don’t understand what REAL music is.
Sandy
grimygoods.com
Mostly because women come from another direction in music.
I mean even I started with the backstreet boys, but it’s never late for change and getting a taste in music that is not compatible with mtv or else…
the thing with the keys is, the make music thats from an old decade where music was hand made an IN YOUR FACE!
the chords are raw and that’s what I like…
so if they ever play a gig in germany I hope I’ll be there!!!
Woah, Woah.
I think it’s totally wrong to assume girls aren’t listening to The Black Keys. I’m a girl and I love them. And it’s not that girls don’t like good music or even in your face music, how else would you have so many female metal fans
Perhaps they are just not going to the shows even though they like the band. The reason? The shows are mostly guys. I know that I won’t go to a show where I know it’s going to be mostly guys by myself and if I can’t drag some friends along then I don’t go at all. Too many guys means girls won’t go. It’s a self reinforcing cycle.
Fair call. Maybe “Why Don’t More Girls Like The Black Keys?” would have been a better post title
I must not really be a girl then.
I think these two men make the sexiest music I’ve ever heard.
And I wouldn’t miss Dan’s solo show in Chicago for anything.
It’s cause the girls are too busy goin’ to the Kings of Leon concerts!!!
I LOVE the black keys.
and i’m a girl.
Love ’em too. May be interviewing Dan Auerbach @ sxsw. I also shot their record release party for Attack & Release April 1st last year in L.A. Harsh Generalization! With Danger Mouse producing the last album? Jesus, these boys are genius. The Album art, everything. Dan’s solo Album, fabulous. Could go on and on, been following them since high school with Rubber Factory.
@anna. Cool. You can go on and on as much you like about the band, that’s what this site is for 🙂
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Um, how does one get wind that shows are only attended by dudes? [This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this, other than the whole boy band concert where only teenage kids who are girls attend–but this is a given, in any case.] And if so, wouldn’t the dudettes want to attend these gigs, especially since there will be dudes that like the same band that they do? Or I guess, not, because they’ll be drunk. haha.
In any case, I find this interesting. I am somewhat generalizing, I must admit, but at the same time, just because Dan and Pat aren’t necessarily beardless or single or w/e, does not mean that girls will not go see them. Not everyone is shallow in this world. And not everyone likes a bloody band based on the looks of its members.
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I love TBK! (and i am also a girl) way into the full beard- and the solo shows will only attract me more because of -well, the music of course- and the fact that the fast five have equally great beards.
AND… they are and will continue to be my favorite band- the music is amazing and it truly is the sexiest music a guy could play.
Any girl who disagrees is just eating what MTV is feeding her.