164 -- Black Keys -- part of the Concert for Valor -- Tuesday, November 11, 2014 -- The National Mall -- DC

General Festival Intro: I’m glad I went to the Concert for Valor.  Festivals are never my favorite: too few songs, too few true fans.  It’s hard to complain, though, about a night on the National Mall that lets you pay literal tribute to the troops as you listen to Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band, Black Keys, Carrie Underwood, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, and Eminem.  Knowing I could discuss the show the next day with my students, CH and SL, whose families attended the show, made it even better.  The only performer I missed was Jessie J, whose “Titanium” I could half hear as I made the long trek from the metro to Archives to 15th. 

Specific Band Entry: Black Keys: Before the set, Reese Witherspoon thanks Colonel McCoy.  John Oliver thanks the audience for their ‘patriotic profanity.’  Wish Oliver could have a done a deep dive, like on Last Week Tonight. 

I had no clue Black Keys were from Akron, Ohio.  The audience apparently has no clue they’re not at a silent auction.  “Fever,” “Lonely Boy,” and “She's Long Gone” (AKA the nanana song) limp as a result.

Grade: C

To read reviews of any of the festival bands (and celebrity intros), click on the these links: Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band, Black Keys, Carrie Underwood, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Eminem.