The Arcs Full Concert | NPR MUSIC FRONT ROW

It speaks to The Black Keys' popularity and stature as one of America's finest working rock bands that the initial school of thought around The Arcs was that it's singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach's "side project." The Arcs' debut album, Yours, Dreamily, may have begun as a solo excursion, but the group has turned into a soulful explosion. Those lucky enough to see the eight-piece band's concert debut - recorded during a special First Listen Live performance at the Housing Works Bookstore Café on a humid September night in Manhattan - bore proof of The Arcs' unique energy.
Sure, the fuse is lit by Auerbach in guitar-slinging mode, but the fire rages through all of his amazing bandmates. Richard Swift stakes his claim as a drummer here, moonlighting from his various gigs as The Shins' musical polymath, producer of albums for the likes of Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier and Nathaniel Rateliff, and a composer of his own futurist pop fantasias. There's a trio of Brooklyn soul-session veterans: keyboardist and horn player Leon Michels, bassist Nick Movshon and drummer Homer "Funky-Foot" Steinweiss, who, between them, powered the lion's share of great grooves for the likes of Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones. Then there's Julie Justine Acosta, Mireya Ramos and Shae Fiol, three members of the all-female mariachi group Flor de Toloache - they don't just supply the 20 Feet From Stardom harmonies and background-vocal roar, but also bring another layer of brass and strings when called upon to do so.
At Housing Works, a SoHo institution whose proceeds go to help the homeless and people living with HIV/AIDS, the live Arcs experience rolled out like a gleaming, funky Southern-rock machine. Dreamily, the night's experience is now yours, if you want it. -- PIOTR ORLOV
SET LIST
Stay In My Corner - 2:02
Outta My Mind - 6:37
Put A Flower In Your Pocket - 11:02
Pistol Made Of Bones - 16:18
Cold Companion - 21:25
Velvet Ditch - 26:40
Everything You Do (You Do For You) - 30:51
Chains Of Love - 35:57
Nature's Child - 39:28
My Mind - 44:14
Keep On Dreamin' - 49:22
The Arc - 55:25
Director: Mito Habe-Evans; Producer: Saidah Blount; Videographers: Mito Habe-Evans, Lani Milton, Christopher Parks, A.J. Wilhelm; Audio Engineers: Neal Jensen, Josh Rogosin; Post Production Mix: Dan Auerbach, Richard Swift, Leon Michels; Special Thanks: Housing Works Bookstore Cafe; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann

[@hunterwest54]

Dan has literally never made a bad album. Even his artists at Easy Eye Sound are amazing... Every single one... Probably the most important figure for rock n Roll and blues and just good music in general from my generation.. He's a living legend.

[@gabrielmattar01]

Freaking legend.

[@nr4dd]

Amen. Wish their were 12 of this guy. So talented that he'll never get it all out

[@Lesmagica]

yes

[@mslice3139]

He hasn't made one bad song between his solo stuff, The Black Keys, The Arcs, or Blakroc. He's amazing. The Arcs might be the best stuff. I saw them 4 times, and it was pretty sick. Also, their studio albums are dope. The Keys still take the cake, though. Lastly, the album Locked Down by Dr.John was produced by Dan(he also shreds a little). Dan is the best.

[@haydenbridges6381]

Dropout boogie ruined this comment. Big love for him tho

[@tonysunday3905]

R.I.P. Richard Swift 😔

[@zannpaci]

drummer?

[@Thecolourjum]

Zann dude at the start. He was a guitarist!

[@pedropabloinchicaqueparede5977]

que pena, tenia mucho carisma y parecía que conjugaba la genialidad de la banda.

[@hunterwest54]

Rest easy brother...

[@SinnetSongs]

Yeah, I wonder if they will do anymore music without him?

[@mizupman24]

RIP Richard Swift. Thank you for your music!

[@Blopaslave]

Dan is the best, simply the best.

[@unclemo420]

Dan looks like he has the best time playing music...

[@marquetal]

I was the luckiest.. got to see them at the Fillmore in San Fran, so many people in tears.. I remember post show all the fans walking home and just in a different place, changed for the good. Music is the door to another place, but only a very few musicians hold the keys ;)

[@mslice3139]

I saw them 4 times somehow. I gotta be the only one.

[@Martel4]

Playing in a lesser known band is like making a new character in an RPG lol

[@santiagogutierrez1594]

And still kicking ass. Hahaha

[@cinemafunky1359]

More like having a high level character join and carry your party forward much faster😂

[@siddhant717]

The musical equivalent of smurfing. 😎

[@luqmanHG]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mohammadmaximilian3077]

instablaster...

[@npxmnpxm]

Um, does everyone recognize how insanely great this is or is it just me?

[@BKMongo7]

Super underrated

[@pedromacd]

Fantastic isn't it.

[@londorsey9013]

I have found alot of great music on npr

[@Majidowf]

Too good! And I’m kinda secretly glad that they’re kinda underrated if you know what I mean

[@joeneurauter1944]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@buddha4242]

Blues, Funk, Soul, what else do you need for greatness? This seriously was one of the best NPR videos I have ever watched.

[@rholygaming1343]

buddha4242 apparently you also need mariachi lol

[@BKMongo7]

Underrated band

[@ChrisDorgan]

Ah man, Put a Flower in your Pocket with that Trumpet/Cornet. Love it!!

[@alanvelasquez837]

Man! I'm in love with that girl.

[@alanvelasquez837]

+Jeff Reid very nice !! I Love them. Thanks for sharing

[@spacecowboy6242]

Stay In My Corner - 2:02 Outta My Mind - 6:37 Put A Flower In Your Pocket - 11:02 Pistol Made Of Bones - 16:18 Cold Companion - 21:25 Velvet Ditch - 26:40 Everything You Do (You Do For You) - 30:51 Chains Of Love - 35:57 Nature's Child - 39:28 My Mind - 44:14 Keep On Dreamin' - 49:22 The Arc - 55:25

[@coltonberry5599]

I can't stop coming back to this concert... Beautiful

[@BKMongo7]

Like 30th time for me

[@matguerra333]

I love how much fun they're having and the trumpet girl sharing a mic...The whole thing is special.

[@ericarturoriosorozco4020]

Oh my God those girls in the backing vocals are The Mariachi Flor de Toloache? Amazing!

[@denisebeghe8324]

What a GREAT bass player, so groovy

[@pedrodelimamiranda]

there are two

[@dropYourVideo]

All these guys man, truly all of them are so incredibly good. They all groove and they all got so much soul. It truly is fascinating!

[@andresbarriga5305]

CAme here to say this.

[@AB-hk1pq]

Two drummers, two base players, and Dan's voice...creates such a deep groovy sound. Love it.

[@bonniea8189]

Plus two keyboardists AND a mariachi trio!

[@oopsyeah6224]

Dan Auerbach is my hero

[@Isaiahscheel]

Wow, Keep On Dreamin' - @49:22 came out as a single on Spotify October 13, 2022. Didn't realize it was written at least in 2015?!

[@PoeticWeasel]

Yeah basically everything in that second Arcs record was prerecorded from around this time or just a little after like 2016.

[@MannyRodriquez]

Here today still listening to this amazing album - what a great taping. Thanks @npr

[@cristinarodriguez7806]

Dan is just amazing.

[@JasonHalladay]

Can't get enough of this performance. Such emotion.

[@Magsm666]

They look like a dad band and I'm loving it. Awesome album.

[@bradg23]

Nick is such a BEAST on that old P-bass. Unsung MVP for sure!

[@gilliangonzalez600]

Every night I pray that they will come out with another album--- PLEASE PLEASE GOD

[@julianrivera1973]

Completely agree with you beautiful

[@mikoajgrabowski2194]

Without Rick Swift I doubt it will ever happen

[@sanick4864]

Have you heard the singles and the eps?

[@mf966]

Still praying

[@Kdu.]

Meu sonho🤧

[@LM-ub3jk]

It's amazing how some people can just get in sync with each other and make amazing things happen....

[@captinamazin21]

Such a great performance! RIP Richard Swift. Dan is our greatest modern taste-maker with Easy Eye. Thanks for Elctrophonic Chronic, too. Keep on Dreamin'

[@DockterDoom]

Will I ever get over this group? The answer is no. RIP Richard Swift

[@rodriguezelfeliz4623]

I'm so sorry for the ignorance, but which one is Richard Swift and why did he die?

[@BKSoulive]

The drummer on the right. Sadly he died from complications related to alcoholism. He was a great producer and apparently a good human all around.

[@oscarcornejo6615]

Put A Flower In Your Pocket is so intense on this show!

[@LadyDunkerque]

therapy: expensive this: on youtube for free

[@Batsandpossums]

Julie Justine Acosta, Mireya Ramos and Shae Fiol, three members of the all-female mariachi group Flor de Toloache BRAVOOOO as well!!!!

[@sebastianbarboza8999]

Good memories from 2015..

[@jessiegarcia9410]

Just recently got into this band. They are amazing! Not sure how I didn't know Dan had this other band.

[@TheRealLarryFisherman]

Can’t believe I’m just discovering this band. Dan is such a goat

[@cacaramos06]

Show de produção também...parece que estou junto no palco! O melhor que está tendo...

[@wataloopus]

My idol Dan and his amazing band, this is god level

[@thiagomessiah1]

That's simply beautiful.

[@annakatrina448]

Such a full and complex sound. That's what I"ve always loved about The Arcs!

[@MacFalko]

You can't imagine how much I love the music.. love it..love it love it..

[@arioleg1386]

I came back before listening to "Electronic Chronic" to remember good times... such a masterpice!

[@sofiaabouatmane5913]

Amazing live !! Incredible band working as one crazy organism .. what could go wrong ? * * never enough of thoses damn vibes * *

[@foolonahill9096]

The accompanying album is a 21st century-classic.

[@hunterwest54]

Seriously one of the best albums ever... SOOOOOO GOOD!!! ✌🖤🤘

[@tongolele12]

Saw them last night on live at 9:30 and had to look them up-- did not know thier connection/lead singer of Black Keys-- Love this band!!!!

[@stevoweso]

Epic. Damn why couldn't I have been there?!

[@rudyb.gutierrezc.1083]

Best show ever.

[@elianab3946]

My mind! love that song, sounds so good.

[@AlpikaRider]

every song reminds me of the girl I've always wanted but can never get.

[@unicanir]

That is really sad bro Everyrthing cool at Home?

[@jloonyoutube]

One of the best performances i've seen. Very impactful.

[@Diego-nx6bb]

I mean, this is gold...

[@iBullyDemons]

good to see Dan still making soulful music

[@abrahamreeder2250]

The Arcs are coming back!

[@bluesevie30]

I hope so!!! 🙏

[@jorgeluisgutierrezgarcia2861]

Amazing,super future.From Mexico,city.

[@cristobal1277]

Perfect Sound

[@elainereichenbach4821]

Richard Swift is a super talent. I miss his solo stuff.

[@tamashisoul]

I love you guys I sing along to every single song you make me love the blues again💜

[@emrickomani]

My mind is absolutely amazing!

[@nightowlpete8223]

I love this Band!!!!

[@victorli89]

Dan Auerbach and Richard Swift teaming up! This can only lead to good things.

[@Ur12b4got]

This is really sad to read now...

[@HermioneLouise]

Aww it was awesome! I just wish they put Rosie (Oooh la la) into their set list

[@musicforthepeople4701]

one of the few acts making real music today

[@Sam_B1]

Fuck! I'm so late to this kick ass party! 👌✌️

[@regulargabs]

not so much!

[@DeSotogsp]

The expendables

[@bluesevie30]

I'm even later 😭

[@rucine]

okokokokokoko...i´m just so fuckin happy to be able to sit in small germany and enjoy that show...goooood thats the kind of shit we need .... dan the man pistol made of bones ...went thru the bones

[@nickbalkissoon6311]

MENAHAN STREET BAND MEMBERS YES!!

[@SenorPescadorJohnson]

good good come on down to El Salvador and Guatemala, anytime

[@jhersonlopez9220]

Hell yeah, that shit would bang down here. Gotta find the right venue and let's go

[@micah8151]

I relate to their out of my mind song more than I'd like to

[@nachopazo95]

the trumpet was fire

[@greenthugg15]

The arcs are fucking awesome Dan is the man with the plan

[@iJohnnyZac]

And I'm a fan with a driving ban

[@AS-bq8dm]

Perfection.

[@ibkerr]

Dan The Man...fire in my ears

[@carlosvellinho]

What an epic gig

[@jorgemoral1385]

Impresionante. Amazing.

[@chanceshaw812]

I mean kudos if he is...I doubt many people in his audience (by and large haven't tried it). He's still an amazingly inventive musician and that wouldn't take away from his soumd a bit for me....many roads to he same mountain top especially when making psychedelic-infused blues and soul rock...!!! Do your thang Dan!!!

[@RichardPerez]

Auerbach and Daptone had a baby!...and it's amazing!

[@ciarancosgrave]

That bass player used to play with Lee Fields and the expressions. Smooth as you like.

[@bluesevie30]

OK I'm back here again already. This made me cry because: 1. It's so beautiful ❤ 2. I wasn't there 😭😭😭

[@yvish]

album is great, but this live show is killing it. keep putting this on

[@jaimerivera2860]

The girl with the trumpet brought the fire that you can't extinguish.

[@dylang3413]

Thank you for uploading this, much appreciated.

[@cathylarsen7300]

"Cold companion", oh my!!! 🔥🔥🔥, light my fire, gorgeous addition with these hot senorita but keeps getting better here on plus instrumentals wow, go the arcs, very sexy stuff indeed mmm

[@cacaramos06]

Que sensacional!!! Estou vendo uma vez por semana...

[@jsoltol1059]

This gave me goosebumps! Love the sound, keep up the hard work Mr. Auerbach and Company :D

[@thezirons]

RIP - Richard Swift. Another great one gone...

[@keenanmeyer5511]

Man. Searching the blue... they were possessed with passion.

[@billybuckmusic]

one of the best underground supergroups ever.

[@namrehabioye502]

Totally awesome concert!

[@Ifeelmusiceverytime]

I feel the fun and the feelings from this band. awesome *winky*

[@DesignRhythm]

Fantastic music, Dan always brings the goods. The backing vocals take it to the next level, so sexy -reminds me of Pink Floyd's Great Gig in the Sky.

[@lebronjames7041]

Why don't black keys make music like this anymore? DAN needs this energy for black keys!!

[@stephenvanruden5124]

dan wore the same shirt last night in chicago. dope show

[@samtheman100200]

god, this is magic.

[@ramiromontes1337]

DAN is awesome !"!! verdadero musico !!!!! Heard this concert I love it !!! but when I listen KEEP ON DREAMING really destroys my heart and again !!!! i dont no!!!! YEAH I remember my daughters' mom!!!!

[@rafaelgaleano2269]

que bueno son, saludos desde Venezuela

[@masterthelittle7035]

15:05 Love it

[@Superninjajoe]

He got a shot of whiskey at a bookstore? Awesome.

[@sodiumlights]

So Long, Mr Swift x

[@chrisattigliato1]

Richard swift is dope as fuck

[@tenderlebowski]

Thanks for the great concert stream!

[@Streetbob07]

This is some really great music what a Fat sound !!! This is sonically correct and will make you right ..

[@rainerjahns1734]

Fantastic!!! Haven´t heard of them before. Thanks to NPR.

[@bluesevie30]

Oooh to have been at this gig 😭🤩😍