The Black Keys: Coming to Rockwave 2023 with their new album

Another announcement for the long-awaited Rockwave 2023 made us look forward to the upcoming concert summer! After the legendary Deep Purple and Saxon, but also the Robbie Williams, Rockwave announced that in Malakasa we will see live and the The Black Keys.

The duo of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums) opened the curtain of the 20th Rockwave Festival in 2015 at the packed TerraVibe, offering the Greek audience a powerful rock live performance that was talked about. Now, it's time to see them again live on July 8, 2023.

After all, they themselves are looking forward to it: «After eight years we are excited to return to Europe and Britain. We look forward to seeing you at our shows and in these wonderful venues,» said Auerbach and Carney.

The Black Keys: with garage aesthetics and love for indie rock

The story of the “Black Keys” begins in early 2000 when the band's former classmates Dan Auerbach and Patric Carney decided to form a band to combine their blues influences and garage aesthetics with their love for indie rock.

The Black Keys were born in Akron, Ohio (USA) - the city that gave birth to tire companies, waffle cones, oatmeal, and the huge basketball legend LeBron James. Early on, they decided to leave college and devote themselves to their great love, music. Their dream was to make raw electric blues, to combine blues influences and garage music with their love of Indie rock. So, “The Big Come Up” hit the shelves in 2002.

This was followed by “Rubber Factory” and “Thickfreakness” which were praised by the audience and critics. At the same time, their live performances became an early subject of discussion, ranking them among the most dynamic duos in modern music history.

Their first three albums were written in their own studio and were “handmade” as they did everything themselves, writing the lyrics, the music, producing... until the fourth album, Attack and Release. Then, they decided to go into a professional studio for the first time and hire a producer, Danger Mouse, the daring hip hop producer, a decision that proved them right as the album reached number 23 in the top 100 songs of 2008.

In the 20 years that The Black Keys have been together, each successive album has surpassed the last: 2010's Brothers debuted at number 3, then 2011's El Camino went straight to number 2 and 2016's Turn Blue made its appearance at number 1.

Their album El Camino was the one that catapulted them to the top of the charts as it was nominated for five Grammy Awards, of which it won three. One Grammy for Best Rock Album and two Grammys for the beloved, much-played and much-danced-about Lonely Boy.

Their 11th album, “Dropout Boogie”

The most their latest album, their 11th, “Dropout Boogie”, takes its name from a song by Captain Beefhart and is also nominated for Best Rock Album at the 65th Grammy Awards. It was recorded at Auerbach's Nashville studio, Easy Eye Sound. “It came almost effortlessly” says Auerbach. «We didn't have it planned. We were living in the moment, playing music and following our instincts. That's what beautifies what Pat and I do. It's instantaneous...What Pat and I look forward to is creating music spontaneously.’

It's the first time The Black Keys have invited more than one contributor to work with them on an album of their own - Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound and composer Angelo Petraglia. On the track “Good Love” guitars played by the legendary Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top, - a great example of how instinct, synergy and team spirit can create a great result. “They live for music, just like us” says Auerbach of their partners.

«This album was released the day before the 20th anniversary of our first album” Carney symbolically points out. No matter what they do separately, they always produce their records together. «We've always worked together,» explains Auerbach. «From the first record we made in Pat's basement until today».

Auerbach confesses: «When I play with Pat, I'm immediately transported mentally to the Akron basement. And it's a very beautiful feeling that reflects the natural chemistry that exists between us. Pat and I are only the Black Keys when we're together. Any other time, we're not The Black Keys...But when we're together, we're The Black Keys, that's where the real magic is.». Carney agrees and adds: «This is the magic of our band. We are colors that complement each other» and «...at the end of the day nothing else matters but the music.»

The Black Keys, remain eternal fans of pure blues, garage rock, the Stooges, the electric guitar of Link Wray and Glenn Schwartz. Unpretentious, spontaneous, impulsive, unpredictable, inspired, impatient, instinctive.

Information - Tickets

8 July 2023 // Ticket prices: (ticket prices include the cost of the ticket management service). General Admission Phase 1: 49.50 euros, Phase 2: 55 euros, Box Office: 60 euros, Golden Standing 99 euros, VIP (A & B) 99 euros. For every 3 VIP or Golden Standing tickets, 1 free Parking Place/Parking is provided.

Electronically: viva.gr & hunteragency.gr. By phone: 11876. (Wind Stores, Public, Media Markt, Evripidis Bookstores, Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, Athinorama.gr, Yoleni's). Public Network Public online: tickets.public.gr.