When a nasty summer storm pushed Sunday night plans into Monday, true music lovers in Pittsburgh knew the wait would only make the eventual jams that much sweeter. The legendary blues rock outfit from Akron, Ohio, The Black Keys, finally rolled their massive tour into the outdoor stage at Stage AE and fans gathered under an ideal summer sky that made everybody completely forget about the previous evening of thunder and heavy rain. The rescheduled gathering was part of their huge Peaches and Kream world tour in support of their fresh new album PEACHES. Having grown from a basement duo into one of the most reliable stadium-shaking acts in modern music, The Black Keys came with a purpose, and a twenty-four hour delay was certainly not going to cool off their momentum.
Warming up a crowd after a weather delay can be a tough gig for anyone, but Eddie 9V brought enough retro soul and swagger to light up the whole North Shore. The Georgia-born singer and guitarist had a a thick, greasy sound that felt like stepping straight into a vintage Atlanta blues club. He whipped through fiery solos while cracking jokes and chatting with folks in the front row about his unexpected day off in Pittsburgh like they were old friends sipping drinks on a front porch. His backing musicians laid down a feisty groove that got everyong moving long before the sun began to dip.
As soon as it was time for the main course, Dan Auerbach strutted out to the sweet sounds of “I Got Mine,” wearing a massive grin whilr looking out to the equally massive crowd. Behind the drum kit that got its own special spot at the front of the stage, Patrick Carney immediately established the heavy rhythm, pounding out those signature thumping beats that form the bedrock of their sound. Auerbach played those raw, fuzzy guitar riffs with effortless precision, sliding across the stage while leaning into every single song with deep soulful vocals. Carney played with his usual ferocious intensity, tossing his head back and keeping the tempo tight as the touring rhythm section filled out the sound with vintage keyboards and beautiful backing harmonies. Watching the two long-time musical brothers lock eyes during extended jams made it clear that their perfectly in-sync souls are why The Black Keys have remained at the top of the rock world for over two decades.
The setlist hit the sweet spot between beloved classic hits and fresh material off their latest release. Fans got a taste of everything from early garage days to giant radio anthems, letting the tracks from PEACHES really take center stage. Covers of Dr. Feelgood’s “She Does It Right” and George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ 1977 version of Earl Hooker’s “You Got to Lose” both got the crowd movin’ and groovin’, it was impossible to stay still. Eddie 9V joined The Black Keys back on stage for the gritty, bluesy “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire.” The new cuts blended seamlessly into the night, showcasing deep grooves and soulful hooks that felt right at home next to staples “Gold on the Ceiling” and “Tighten Up.” The band took time to stretch out on extended blues jams, giving the music room to breathe and settle into the warm evening air. Every song choice felt intentional, building a steady roller coaster of gritty riffs and foot-stomping rhythms that kept the crowd singing along with total enthusiasm.
Looking around the outdoor lawn of Stage AE, it was pure summer bliss from the front rail all the way back to the fence. A cool breeze rolling off the rivers combined with a clear blue sky made everyone thankful for the storm delay, since Monday ended up being absolute perfection for an outdoor show. Strangers were sharing smiles, dancing together, and simply living in the moment as the final encore of “Little Black Submarines” and the iconic “Lonely Boy” faded out into the night. It felt like a giant neighborhood party where the shared love of gritty rock and roll brought thousands of folks together in perfect harmony. Nobody was thinking about going to work the next morning, because nights like this are the exact reason why live music remains so special.
August 3rd, 2026
