The Black Keys: Plenty of Rain, No Flowers at Forest Hills Stadium

In promoting the band’s 13^th and most recent studio album, No Rain, No Flowers, released on August 8, 2025, the Black Keys’ website is animated with a flashing lightning storm. These kinetic images became a reality when the Black Keys came to Forest Hills Stadium five days after the album’s release. Support act Gary Clark Jr. played only three songs before the show was paused and attendees were instructed to seek shelter in the outdoor concession area under the stadium seats. A torrential storm swept over the venue, with eardrum-busting thunder, crackling bolts of lightning and howling winds rivaling the spectacle of the evening’s main act. The Black Keys (vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, accompanied by hired musicians) finally took the stage an hour later than intended and performed an abbreviated 50-minute set which ended moments before the venue’s 10 p.m. curfew.

The Black Keys 2025 concert tour, which crosses the United States until late September, follows a canceled arena tour in 2024. Last year’s album, Ohio Players, charted lower than previous albums and, paralleling album with ticket sales, the band members were public about how disappointing ticket sales led to the cancellation of the arena dates. The arena dates were supposed to be replaced by shows in more intimate venues, but that never happened. The 2025 tour plays smaller venues, and coincides with the release of the band’s newer No Rain, No Flowers album.

During the more than an hour-long imposed intermission, fans huddled to avoid the wind-induced sprays of rain. They speculated how the ferocity of the evening lightning storm might force the cancellation of the Forest Hills Stadium concert. A half hour after the last lightning bolt flashed over the stadium, the audience was allowed to return to the saturated seats. Even then, technical difficulties further delayed the resumption of the concert. The Black Keys finally started the show by launching into “No Rain, No Flowers” at 9:10 p.m.

While the extreme weather short-changed the fans, the Black Keys squeezed 13 songs into the abridged window of time. With very little chatter from the stage, the band rapidly rocked from one song to the next. Auerbach, positioned at the front right of the stage, played guitar riffs and leads that recalled classic-era blues-rock bands, except that Auerbach’s style was grittier and raunchier. Carney’s drum kit, positioned at the front left of the stage, provided the driving rhythm. Auerbach and Carney were locked in, as they have been for the past 25 years. Five additional musicians across the back of the stage complimented the core duo’s sound with percussion, keys, bass and rhythm guitar.

Forest Hills Stadium offers unobstructed views, and Auerbach and Carney maximized this opportunity. The two musicians, constantly under bright lights near the front edge of the stage, made best use of their space. Auerbach paced, crouched and danced across the stage and occasionally jumped off his partner’s drum riser. Carney was restricted to his drum kit, but knew he was part of the visual chemistry as he flailed his arms and hopped in his seat. As such, the LED screen behind them was used mostly as a light show, seldom projecting closeups of the musicians.

The reduced song selection was slim, but mighty. The band started with new music, opening the set with “No Rain, No Flowers.” Pleasing the cheering fans, Auerbach’s vocals and searing guitar ripped through radio favorites including “Gold on the Ceiling”, “Lo/Hi”, “Tighten Up” and “Howlin’ for You,” closing with “Little Black Submarines” and “Lonely Boy.” The set represented seven of the Black Keys’ 13 albums.

The anchor of rock music is the lead guitar, and Auerbach offered plenty of head-turning moments. Perhaps the reason why the Black Keys have outlasted so many turn-of-the-century rock bands is that this guitar playing has deep roots in blues. While shredders get more flash, nothing beats tasty roots-generated musicianship. The Black Keys may be around quite a while longer.

Setlist

1. No Rain, No Flowers
2. Gold on the Ceiling
3. Wild Child
4. I Got Mine
5. Next Girl
6. Lo/Hi
7. Tighten Up
8. Man on a Mission
9. Heavy Soul
10. Howlin' for You
11. She's Long Gone
12. Little Black Submarines
13. Lonely Boy

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The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

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