CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS: Jack White Performs Popup Show at TREES in Dallas, TX

CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS

JACK WHITE

11/13/24 – TREES – DALLAS, TX

©M’Lou Elkins / Skip2Phhotography.com

Seeing Jack White play at Trees, a small 600-capacity venue in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas, was quite the experience…and certainly one I thought I’d never have. But Jack White has been on his No Name Tour for several weeks now and playing popup shows at small clubs in various cities across the US—and today was the day!

Since I was unable to score a ticket in the sale the day before the show, luckily I’m a student with a valid school ID, so I headed out at the crack of dawn to lineup to purchase one of the 70 tickets they were going to sell to students at noon.  For once, I was happy that music photography doesn’t pay enough for me to make a decent living and I’m back in college at age 51. That student ID definitely came in handy today.

I was 7th in line so knew I’d get in. Ahead of me in line were students from UT Arlington, UT Austin, and UNT. By 10 am, there were still only about 15 people lined up behind me. Several were die-hard fans who already had their tickets and who had been to several of these popup shows already.

As the hours slipped by, the anticipation in the air was thick with excitement and nervous energy. I chatted with a few fellow fans, sharing stories about our favorite Jack White songs and reminiscing about his previous shows. It felt surreal to be part of such a small gathering, knowing that soon we would all be inside, experiencing an intimate performance from a rock legend in such a cozy venue.

Just before noon, the buzz intensified as the venue staff appeared, briefing us on the rules and how the ticketing process would work. The afternoon sun began to peek through the clouds, adding an extra layer of warmth to the moment. The crowd behind me had swelled a bit, but I was still confident that being 7th in line would ensure my entry.

When the clock struck noon, the process began and within 10 minutes I had my armband for entry. Two people ahead of me left after receiving their armbands. Since this would now make me #5 entering the venue, I was pretty much guaranteed a spot against the stage. This was too good to pass up, so I decided to stay in line all day until doors. The next 7 hours went by surprisingly fast, talking with other fans, seeing friends, and making new ones.

At 6:50 doors opened. One by one, we filed in. As I stepped through the doors of Trees, I was hit by a rush of nostalgia as I had seen many shows here in high school and the place looked exactly the same. The vibe was electric and anticipation hung heavy in the air.

Finding a spot in the center against the stage, I took a moment to soak it all in. The intimate setting meant that we were right there, on the same level as Jack and his band. This venue is so small that no matter where you are, it’s a good spot.

As the lights dimmed and the crowd roared to life, I couldn’t believe I was standing mere feet away from one of my musical heroes. Jack White stepped onto the stage with his unmistakable swagger, dressed in solid black with gunmetal polished fingernails—and from this close you could really see how tall he actually is. The first chord of “Old Scratch Blues” rang out, filling the room with a resonance that seemed to shake the very foundation of Trees. Two other tracks off the No Name album followed, “Bless Yourself” and “It’s Rough on Rats (If You’re Asking).” In a brief pause between the two songs Jack shouted, “Dallas is alive and well, I can tell right now!” Yes, we were.

The setlist was an eclectic mix of old favorites and new tracks, showcasing not just his talent, but the evolution of his sound. Each song took us through a journey, intertwining hard-hitting riffs with heartfelt lyrics—sonically bridging the past and the present. The intimacy of the venue made each note feel personal; it was as if Jack was playing just for us.

Between songs he engaged with the audience, sharing anecdotes that made us feel like we were part of the narrative. It was a rare glimpse into the mind of a true artist, and the connection formed in that small space was unlike anything I had ever experienced at a larger concert.

After a quick break, Jack was back and he was armed with the hits. “Steady, As She Goes”— a classic by The Raconteurs bled into The White Stripes’ “Fell in Love with a Girl.” He ended with “Seven Nation Army” and shouted, “Thank you, Dallas! You’ve always been good to me!”

As the encore wrapped up, the room erupted in cheers, and I couldn’t help but feel a warmth wash over me. I had witnessed something truly special that night—a reminder that music has the power to unite and elevate, no matter the setting. The thrill of being part of such an exclusive experience lingered, and I left Trees with a heart full of memories, a fresh perspective on my own artistic journey, and the buzzing energy of live music coursing through my veins.