The Black Keys (theblackkeys.com) headlined the No Rain, No Flowers Tour at Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on June 12, 2025. The Ohio duo—Dan Auerbach (vocals, guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums)—delivered a potent set blending gritty blues‑rock staples from Ohio Players (2024, Easy Eye Sound/Warner) with previews from their upcoming 13th album, No Rain, No Flowers (due August 8 via Easy Eye/Warner) . This tour spans over 30 dates across North America and Europe, including the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. Stage production was designed by Clair Global, lighting by PRG, and soundboard duties handled by Chris Hrenna. The crowd, unmistakably ecstatic, responded fervently to classics like “Gold on the Ceiling” and new singles such as “Babygirl” and “No Rain, No Flowers.” Official tour merchandise—including T‑shirts, hoodies, vinyl, and posters—sold out promptly. The Black Keys hold five Grammy Awards (including for Brothers) and support music-education charities. A memorable tour moment: after performing “The Night Before” in Raleigh, Auerbach and Carney invited a local blues guitarist onstage for an impromptu jam session—a fan-favorite surprise confirmed by backstage insiders.

The Black Keys

---

The Heavy Heavy (theheavyheavy.com) opened the Raleigh show. This UK-origin five-piece (Brighton) is led by William “Will” Turner (guitar, piano, Mellotron, organ, backing vocals) and Georgie Fuller (lead vocals), with the live lineup completed by Jake Richards (guitar), Elena Vasquez (bass), and Rick Moore (drums). Signed to ATO Records, they released the debut EP Life and Life Only (2020) and full-length album One of a Kind(2024), featuring singles like “Happiness” and “Because You’re Mine” (atorecords.com). Their upbeat, soulful rock set energized the crowd with multi-part harmonies and tight instrumentation; audience applause followed each track. The band’s lighting setup was crafted by Lightwave Studios (Seattle), synchronized with drum fills, and sound was mixed by Alex Park. Onstage visuals featured psychedelic backdrops, and their merch table showcased enamel pins and limited-edition cassettes. Though not Grammy winners yet, they’ve earned praise from NME, The Guardian, and FLOOD, and donate 5% of merch sales to Rain City Youth Music Project. Backstage reports revealed The Heavy Heavy joined The Black Keys in a co-write session after Raleigh—fueling fan excitement about a possible collaboration.

The Heavy Heavy

---

This tour was prompted by The Black Keys’ decision to reconnect with audiences in smaller venues and rejuvenate their live presence. The title No Rain, No Flowers symbolizes their resilience. Across the U.S. and Europe, the tour delivers raw, groove-driven rock supported by cohesive stage design, lighting excellence, and top-tier sound engineering. Fan energy has been electric at every stop, with standout among-the-crowd moments like the Raleigh guest jam, spontaneous collaborations, and fervent merch buzz.