Wednesday 14/05/08 The Raconteurs @ Hammersmith Apollo, London

“I’m not sure if there’s a point to the story, but I’m going to tell it again,” preaches Jack White in his distinct primal squeal, beginning The Raconteurs final song. Yes, we’ve heard it all before, but that doesn’t make White and company any less electrifying. In fact, the back story makes their current glory all the more alluring.

The phrase ‘side project’ usually signals self-indulgence, obscure artist referencing and a horn section. In White’s case, his hobby has snowballed into an accomplished live force. Tonight they showcase the melodious blues of second album ‘Consolers Of The Lonely’, but also affirm affinity and mutual admiration for each other. They are absolutely elated onstage, oozing even more enthusiasm than an audience that isn’t exactly apathetic.

A charged charge through the new record’s title track sets a ferocious pace, before ‘The Switch And The Spur’ brings a grandiose flavour to the band’s rough and ready style. ‘You Don’t Understand Me’, with White on piano, sounds a little too close to Elton John for comfort, but ‘Old Enough’ is a delightfully dulcet ditty. Joined by a 5th band member on fiddle and White on acoustic duties, there is a delectable playfulness to the track.

The affable atmosphere persists as old favourites ‘Level’ and ‘Steady As She Goes’ are aired. The former sees White and Brendan Benson trading rapid-fire lyrics; the latter gives the crowd chance to test its voice. There is a solid platform built on Little Jack Lawrence’s sedulous bass playing that gives the guitarists freedom to experiment. One moment Benson leads, the next White is soaring into a trademark puissant solo.

There is a darker element to the show though, with the tenebrous background, complete with overhanging tree branches, casting the band – all clad in back, waistcoats aplenty - as shadowy puppeteers orchestrating the throngs below. After a stripped thunder through Charley Jordan’s blues staple 'Keep It Clean', they are in their element as the sullen smokiness of ‘Blue Veins’ gives way to an extended jam. White’s microphone is distorted heavily, adding to the inscrutable tension, until release arrives with a towering solo and the band exit.

On return, news of Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood’s presence has spread. The Rolling Stones are teased with a short blast of their own ‘Little Red Rooster’, then new single ‘Salute Your Solution’ is delivered at apoplectic pace, Benson’s snarl competing with White’s wail. The exhilarating, breakneck performance is confirmation that this isn’t a mere plaything, their hearts are in it. Benson’s dripping with sweat as White regales ‘Carolina Drama’s urban legend, the sold-out Apollo hanging on every syllable.

“Well now you heard another side to the story, but you wanna know how it ends,” he howls, drained but exuberant as the song, and show, climax. Hopefully these tellers of tales have many more yarns to spin and many more years to span.