Jack White plays all at Coachella: White Stripes, Raconteurs and more

Some were a bit wishy-washy when the lineup came out and Jack White was one of the headliners.

Those that took in his performance Saturday night probably walked back that opinion just a few minutes into his mesmerizing set on the main stage.

“Put your cell phones down for five f*cking seconds and have a good time!” White shouted early in the set before playing “Hotel Yorba,” reminding people that music festivals are all about the music and not the flower crowns and selfies.

There was no other way the set wsas going to end than with “Seven Nation Army,” and few people left at any point during his show. At the end of the night, White preached.

“I hope you realize, that music is sacred, that music is SACRED,” White said.

White jumped all over his career, playing White Stripes songs, Raconteurs songs, and then his more recent solo stuff like “Love Interruption.”

White’s set was gritty and explosive, and though a large portion of the crowd was of the Top 40 fawning variety, by the end of the set they were sold on White’s status as a rock hero. Though many hoped for special guest surprises, White proved to be more than enough on stage for everybody.

Words: Mark E. Ortega

Photography: David James Swanson for Jack White