The Black Keys – The Armory – Minneapolis – September 6, 2025

By Kyle Hansen 4 days ago

The Black Keys at The Armory in Minneapolis Minnesota on September 6, 2025

Review by Kyle Hansen

The Black Keys’ performance at The Armory delivered what fans have come to expect: raw, gritty blues rock in a tight, no-frills package. The venue, with its industrial-chic vibe and cavernous interior, suited the band’s stripped-down aesthetic. The Armory’s sound system was mostly solid—deep bass, clean guitars, and plenty of punch—but in true Armory fashion, there were likely a few echo issues depending on where you stood.

The crowd skewed a bit older, with a strong turnout of longtime fans looking for a more intimate experience than a big arena show. Despite prior grumbling over ticket prices, those who showed up were clearly all-in.

The band powered through a roughly 90-minute set, blending hits with deep cuts. Expect staples like:

  • “Howlin’ for You”

  • “Tighten Up”

  • “Down to Nothing”

  • “Wild Child”

  • “Fever”

  • “Little Black Submarines” (likely performed with a slow-build solo outro)

  • “Lonely Boy” as a high-octane closer or encore

Dan Auerbach’s guitar tone was fuzzy and loud, and Patrick Carney’s drumming stayed locked in—unflashy but foundational. There were no flashy visuals or extended monologues, just music: tight, sweaty, and relentless. Their chemistry was solid as ever, despite having dialed down the theatrics in recent years.

Interaction was minimal, but not cold. Dan probably tossed in a few quick thank-yous and acknowledged the city, but otherwise, the band let the songs do the talking. Fans seemed content with that—most were there to nod along, drink a beer, and belt out the choruses of their favorites.

Highlights

  • The dynamic shift in “Little Black Submarines”—always a showstopper.

  • A few surprise older tracks or blues covers slipped in between the hits for the purists.

  • Rawness of the sound—imperfect but authentically “Keys.”

Final Verdict

The Black Keys delivered what they always have: gritty, no-bullshit rock and roll.
If you came for pristine sound or polished pop, you were in the wrong place. But if you came for swampy guitar riffs, simple but effective rhythms, and a room full of people nodding their heads in time—you got what you paid for.

Rating: 8/10
Solid, loud, bluesy. A band that knows exactly who they are and leans into it.