The Black Keys und Miles Kane

The Black Keys are my favorite band and I am always excited to see Dan and Patrick rock out the entire house. I've seen them in intimate settings like a little bar up to large sold-out arenas, and every time they have put on an amazing and electric show.

They are not known for huge set pieces, typically it's just Dan out with his guitars and Patrick behind his drum set, but lately they've added a keyboardist, bassist, and backing vocals for some of the newer songs, but they only add to the show. The band has been around for quite a few years, but it seems like only recently they have blown up and everyone wants to see them. I like seeing them live because they seem to extend every song a little bit and Dan has a different touch on each guitar solo that just gets everyone into a nice groove.

They have a good mix of slower songs and faster rocking songs from all of their albums at every show, so any fan of the band who has followed from the beginning, to someone who had just heard their songs on commercials, will be able to appreciate and expand their taste for the Black Keys. My favorite songs to see are "Thickfreakness" because it rocks harder than most other songs these days, and is very impressive because it is just two instruments.

Another song that will leave lasting memories is "Everlasting Light". The performance makes it seem like Dan and Pat are just two normal guys who like to rock out, and that's exactly what you get!

Miles Kane is a performer who embodies a passion for his music, a passion for the art of Rock and Roll, and a passion for live performance to fans.

I first saw Miles when he was supporting Beady Eye on their first tour of Different Gear Still Speeding. It was the Troxy in East London, and going into the gig I knew a bit from the Rascals, liked The Last Shadow Puppets and was reasonably optimistic he would put on a decent show.

He blew everyone there away. It was a unique reaction, I have never seen anything like it before or since. The usual greeting for a support act awaited him when he came on stage. Intrigue and apathy in equal measure. That lasted no more then two songs, and by the time Inhaler dropped (the only song that had Radio 1 airtime behind it) the crowd were raucous, bouncy and staring at each other in amazed disbelief that this gem had gone unearthed.

To finish with a Hey Bulldog cover was genius, and despite an impressive set from Beady Eye, I can guarantee that no one spoke about Liam Gallagher that night. I have seen Miles in various locations, indoor gigs in Brixton and the Troxy, as well as The Olympic Park and twice at Finsbury. He is not fazed by the occasion whether performing to 2000 or 50000, he brings energy, fashion sense, a fantastic voice and an innovative set list, most recently including an interlude with Sympathy For The Devil.

Each time I have seen him, whether as a headliner or support act, whether warming up a small crowd for Liam Gallagher and Andy Bell, or a sunny park full for Kasabian, Stone Roses or his old mates in Arctic Monkeys he brings a swagger, and when I leave I know I am not the only one still bouncing to Miles' set list.

If you are a fan of good old fashioned Rock and Roll, have the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Oasis or Kasabian on your iPod, or remember enjoying the tunes of The Last Shadow Puppets; or perhaps are wondering why music died in 1969 then Miles Kane is definitely a man you should get out and see.

Personal highlights are Come Closer, Give Up, First Of My Kind, Kingcrawler, Inhaler and Taking Over, and on youtube are collaborations with Arctic Monkeys on stage for 505, and with Paul Weller. If Weller is the Mod Father then Miles is his illegitimate Mod Son.