Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

The Black Keys are an American rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach on guitar and vocals, and Patrick Carney on drums. They initially recorded music independently in basements and self-produced their records. Their sound is characterized by a raw blues rock style influenced by artists such as Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson. The members, friends since childhood, formed the band after dropping out of college. Their debut album, The Big Come Up, was released in 2002 through the independent label Alive, leading to a deal with Fat Possum Records. Their third album, Rubber Factory, released in 2004, received critical acclaim and increased their visibility. Over the following decade, the band built an underground fanbase through extensive touring, frequent album releases, festival appearances, and licensing of their music. In 2006, they signed with the major label Nonesuch Records. The Black Keys became associated with the garage rock revival of the 2000s and gained popularity as one of the genre's prominent acts.