Concert Memoir: The White Stripes

First off, this was my second time seeing the White Stripes (I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to see my favorite band twice!) and I enjoyed this show just as much as the first time I saw them.
However, it was a pretty different experience...

CONCERT COMPARISON TIME!
1st Time (In Phoenix):
-the venue was a huge old theater
-I had assigned seats (not bad seats, they were in the 2nd row, but still seats nonetheless)
-I went to the show with my boyfriend whom I'd recently broken up with and hadn't seen in a couple of weeks (see: awkward city)
-Most of the material they played was off their latest release, Get Behind Me Satan
-They had various decorations on stage and their backdrop was black with a glowing white apple that later turned red
-Jack and Meg were in somewhat elaborate costume
-Their encore consisted of mostly covers (Jolene, De Ballad Of De Boll Weevil)

...as opposed to:
2nd Time (In Fairfax):
-the venue was a large college stadium
-I had floor seats (We were fairly close, but I got sick and had to leave for a period of time, so when we got back we were farther away...and I'm shorter than most of the people that were there, so it was hard to see at times. Still better than assigned seats, though)
-Attended the show with my loving boyfriend :)
-Only played 4 songs off their newest album, Icky Thump... a lot of older material was included
-Simpler stage setup, with a solid red backdrop - it did have 2 giant steps in front of it, though, that Jack strutted on a couple of times
-Awesome light effects, courtesy of a large spinning disco ball that reflected red and white lights
-Meg and Jack were more casually dressed
-The encore actually didn't include Jolene

Similarities:
-Both shows opened with "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground"
-Both included "Seven Nation Army" in their encore sets
-Both were fucking awesome

I was really glad that I got to hear "Screwdriver" live again. It's probably my favorite White Stripes song, or one of my very top favorites. Icky Thump was amazing live, especially when Jack made it a medley with "When I Hear My Name". There were actually a lot of songs that he mixed together...especially using some of their oldest material. That was exciting for me, because I think some of their best songs, or at least most entertaining, are on their debut album.
So, I may not have gotten any M&Ms from one of Jack's bodyguard look-a-likes this time (sugar never tasted so good), but I DID almost run into them when I was leaving the backstage area, after being sick (the nurse). Too bad I didn't get to actually see them back there.
Seen this summer: The National, The White Stripes
Hopefully seeing soon: Animal Collective (in September)