Okay, this is not Jack White’s band, but that’s what a majority of the audience are saying. I lose count of many times I hear people say, “So how many times have you seen the White Stripes?” Curiously, the title of The Raconteurs’ latest album exemplifies the majority that comprise tonight’s audience. Groups of (I assume) single 30-something men thunder around the venue exclaiming incredulously en route to the toilet: “Gentlemen? Should say ‘Lads’ shouldn’t it? Hurhurhur…”

Onto the set: Brendan Benson’s fantastic vocals are clear from the moment they strike up into ‘Consoler of the Lonely’, but as soon as White turns to face the audience and shriek into the mic the crowd erupts into hysteria. I can’t help but feel sorry for the rest of the band, who are all superb performers. The star of the show should be White, but solely for the reason that he is the most engaging member of the band to watch and no other. It helps that he also appears to be morphing into a grim combination of Johnny Depp’s Sweeny Todd and Robert Smith.

The third time I have seen the band, I already know they can perform; the question is: how does the new material from Consolers of the Lonely (review) stand up? Whereas the record features the Memphis Horns, live they are sadly absent. The hook in ‘The Switch and The Spur’ is the glorious, pervasive Morricone-style trumpet, but without it the song is, de facto, lacking.

Narrowly avoiding a fight near the front of the stage, I manoeuvre towards the rear of the mosh to be confronted by a rugby thug who seems unhappy that I am standing in his dancing area. After explaining in the simplest terms that I was simply exercising my right to live and breathe in a democratic society, I begin to enjoy the show.

The open blues of ‘Top Yourself’ demonstrates The Raconteurs’ strengths, and space for improvisational fire. Though the saccharine pop-punk of tracks like ‘Steady as She Goes’ and ‘Hold Up’ are what have drawn this audience, it’s not where the band excel. The throbbing ballads ‘You Don’t Understand Me’ and the blistering ‘Blue Veins’ fizz with lit magnesium, and it shows. When you watch Jack playing his (sometimes over extensive) solos and almost talking to himself as he plays, you are watching a musician at his best.

The Raconteurs are a ferociously talented band; their thunderous rhythm section is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. Now, with two albums under their belt, their ranking at upcoming festivals has greater justification.

Catering for a wider audience has its price as the crowd reaction to new single ‘Salute Your Solution’ demonstrates. I hope The Raconteurs are not on their way to becoming an anthemic, celebrity band, as they are capable of much, much more. Not quite “the best live band around today” in the words of tonight’s gig buddy, but certainly on the up.