(Photo courtesy: theblackkeys.com)
On April first of last year the Blues Rock Duo, The Black Keys, announced that they would go on tour to promote their latest album Ohio Players, which was being released later that week, with a big tour fittingly called the International Players tour even though all the dates are in the United States. However, all 31 of the shows on the tour were cancelled a month later in May due to many reasons. In an article published by American Songwriter of that month it cites the size of the venues and low-ticket sales as factors. Another factor could be concert tickets are more expensive than ever, and fans are fed up with the ticket buying process from Live-Nation Entertainment.
The new tour titled the No Rain, No Flowers tour (which could be the name of their new thirteenth studio album that is set to be released later this year). The first leg runs from May 23rd starting in Durant Oklahoma, ending on June 14th in Asbury NJ. The Duo will then head to various European countries playing different festivals along the way. They will return to the United States for the second leg of the tour and will start in Atlantic City NJ on August 9th and will end on September 7th in Kansas City MO.
There are three shows scheduled for around these part of the woods, August 15th at the Bank of NH Pavilion in Gilford NH, the following night at MGM Music Hall located next to Fenway Park in Boston, MA (where they played during the 2023 NHL Winter Classic) and on the 16th at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, CT.
(Photo courtesy: The Black Keys Brazil)
The Black Keys have also announced some very special guests that will open for each show. Easy Eye Sound label mates The Velveteers and Hermanos Gutierrez will open for shows. As well as four-time Grammy winner Gary Clark Jr and the up-and-coming band The Heavy Heavy based out of the United Kingdom. I saw Gary Clark Jr perform at the MGM Music Hall last June, he was incredible and will open for the Keys at their show there, although I was hoping to hear the relaxed Spanish slide guitar instrumentals from the duo Hermanos Gutierrez. Gary Clark Jr will open for 12 of the shows, the most of any the openers followed by The Heavy Heavy with 10.
As for the New album. The duo dropped their latest song The Night Before in February and plan on releasing a new single this Friday titled Baby Girl. The way they are releasing new music and promoting their tour would be an indication of the album being released soon. With the start of the tour being in late May, the album could get released in late spring or early in the summer. Although do not be surprised if this album does not get released later in the summer or even the fall. You can view the tour dates and purchase tickets on their website TheBlackKeys.com for more information.
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