Black Keys Snow King Mountain Concert Review

Contributed by PMM Affiliate: John Hefti

The Black Keys, one of American rock’s most reliable two-piece acts for over two decades, opened the 2026 King Concert Series at Snow King Mountain on Monday, June 8, to a sellout crowd. The Black Keys are currently midway through their Peaches ‘N Kream world tour, behind Peaches!, their fourteenth studio album released May 1 — a covers record that Auerbach has called the band’s most natural work since their 2002 debut.

The venue atop Storm King Mountain is a unique experience in itself. The gondola ride gives you breathtaking views of the snow-capped Tetons as well as the entire town of Jackson. The stage sits at 8,000 feet — one of the more distinctive concert settings in the country. Now in its fifth year, the King Concert Series has made Snow King Mountain a summer destination for national touring acts. A must go for any concert enthusiast.

Boston’s Fai Laci opened the show with a set promoting their debut album, Elephant in the Roombuilt around frontman Luke Faillaci’s hard-rock vocals and guitarist Anthony Cervone’s sharp, memorable leads. It should be noted their new album was produced by Dan Auerbach in Nashville — a connection that made their presence on this bill feel like more than a pairing.

The Black Keys took the stage shortly after 8 p.m. with a seven-piece lineup: the duo, Auerbach and Patrick Carney were joined by percussion, bass, and two additional guitarists, with a third guitar occasiionally filling in. They played over an hour and forty-five minutes. Auerbach sang every song flawlessly, intermixed with blistering guitar solos. Dan’s vocals and masterful guitar were the highlight of the show and enchanted and energized the crowd. There was a real energy that sometimes only happens in front of a crowd, and, to me, they came across better live than on any of their recordings. The setlist included “Howlin’ for You,” “Gold on the Ceiling,” “Tighten Up,” and “She Does It Right” from Peaches!, with an encore of two classics from their 2011 album “El Camino”, “Little Black Submarines” and “Lonely Boy.”

The Black Keys continue the Peaches ‘N Kream world tour through the summer. Dates and tickets at theblackkeys.com. The King Concert Series at Snow King Mountain runs through August — full schedule at snowkingmountain.com/king-concerts.