Jack White Electrifies Seattle’s Paramount Theatre

On May 20, 2025, Jack White made a triumphant return to Seattle’s historic Paramount Theatre, delivering a two-hour showcase of searing guitar solos and unmistakable charisma. The sold-out crowd witnessed White pull from his decades-long catalog—ranging from White Stripes anthems to recent solo material—while proving once again why he’s one of rock’s most compelling live performers.

Touring Solo: White’s Ongoing North American Run

White’s appearance in Seattle is part of his sprawling North American tour, which kicked off earlier this spring in California. Known for his meticulous vinyl-only releases and analog studio techniques, the Detroit-born musician has built a reputation for marrying vintage sounds with contemporary flare. His set in Seattle touched on cuts from his five solo studio albums—Blunderbuss (2012), Lazaretto (2014), Boarding House Reach (2018), Fear of the Dawn (2022), and Entering Heaven Alive (2022)—as well as fan favorites from his days fronting The White Stripes.

23 years after the breakthrough of “Seven Nation Army,” White still commands the stage with every riff. Highlights included a thunderous rendition of “Lazaretto,” followed by the stripped-down intimacy of “Taking Me Back,” framed by moody red and blue lighting.

A Night Of Art And Atmosphere

Long before doors opened, fans lined up to claim limited-edition posters created for the Seattle show. As shared in an Instagram post from May 20 (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ54E6rx5s4/), the night’s official artwork was designed by Matt Taylor Draws and printed by DL Screen Printing Seattle. The vibrant design—a stylized portrait of White flanked by swirling guitar necks—set the tone for a performance that blended sound and sight in equal measure.

Inside the theatre, White’s stage setup was deceptively simple: vintage guitars, analog amps, and a minimalist backdrop. Yet each lighting shift and smoke effect accentuated the raw power of his playing. “Seattle brings out the stories in these old boards,” White quipped between songs, acknowledging the venue’s storied past.

Setlist Highlights: New Tracks Meet Classics

The artist’s willingness to mine both past and present paid off in a setlist that felt fresh at every turn:
• Going Down Fast (Entering Heaven Alive) – A driving opener that set hearts racing.
• Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground (White Stripes) – Early fan favorite, reimagined with extra fuzz.
• What’s the Trick? (Lazaretto) – Showcased White’s signature slide guitar technique.
• Fear of the Dawn (Fear of the Dawn) – A thunderous, experimental centerpiece.
• Ball and Biscuit (White Stripes) – Extended jam with a blistering guitar solo.
• Taking Me Back (Boarding House Reach) – Stripped-back encore before closing with nostalgia.

Throughout the evening, White’s interplay with drummer Daru Jones and multi-instrumentalist Dominic Davis added unexpected textures—whether through tambourine flourishes or harmonica interludes.

Fans captured every moment on social media, but it was White’s own Instagram update—featuring a backstage shot by photographer David James Swanson—that offered a glimpse of the man behind the myth. In the snap, White cradles a retro Gretsch guitar, eyes closed, clearly lost in the music.

As the final chords of “Seven Nation Army” rang out, the audience rose in a standing ovation, chanting White’s name long after he’d left the stage. The night at the Paramount Theatre served as a reminder: few artists can bridge rock history and forward-thinking artistry with as much style and substance as Jack White.

Seattle’s Paramount may be almost a century old, but under White’s hands it felt brand new—proof that genuine rock energy never goes out of style.

Reporter

Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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