Jack White abruptly ended the first of two gigs at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall after about an hour on stage. Once it became clear that White was not taking an extra-long break before an encore set, the scene at the venue got very ugly, and angry fans vented their rage on Twitter.
Jack White is lame. Ended radio city show less than 1 hour. No explanation. I am pissed!!!
Jack White is lame. Ended radio city show less than 1 hour. No explanation. I am pissed!!!-- Steven Gold
Jack White does NOT DESERVE to play in NEW YORK. EVER again.
Jack White does NOT DESERVE to play in NEW YORK. EVER again.-- John Kushay
"Jesus Christ, is this an NPR convention?" - Jack White at Radio City
"Jesus Christ, is this an NPR convention?" - Jack White at Radio City-- Jessica Misener
Jack white just ended the show - an hour into it?? Confused!
Jack white just ended the show - an hour into it?? Confused!-- Andrea Smith
People now chanting "fuck you Jack!" at the Jack White show because he played for 40 mins and didn't do any encores.
People now chanting "fuck you Jack!" at the Jack White show because he played for 40 mins and didn't do any encores.-- Rosie Gray
You know Jack White...punish the scalpers and non dancers all you want but there were true fans in radio city who were there to support you!
You know Jack White...punish the scalpers and non dancers all you want but there were true fans in radio city who were there to support you!-- Michelle Griffin
45 minutes no encore? Wtf jack white. Audience refused to leave until they dropped the curtain. #HipsterRage
I've been waiting for an encore for longer than Jack White's set. Several hundred people keep talking about him coming out for a diehard set
I've been waiting for an encore for longer than Jack White's set. Several hundred people keep talking about him coming out for a diehard set-- Jeremy Current
Well the Jack White show was total bullshit...walking off stage after 50 minutes
Well the Jack White show was total bullshit...walking off stage after 50 minutes-- Stacy Palmeri
Jack White just pulled an awful move. Not sure if I can ever respect him the same.
Jack White just pulled an awful move. Not sure if I can ever respect him the same.-- Alec Haylee Burnett
A guy had to come on stage an announce the show was over cuz this crowd couldnt take a hint. Damn, Jack White. You ripped us off.
A guy had to come on stage an announce the show was over cuz this crowd couldnt take a hint. Damn, Jack White. You ripped us off.-- Kerith Burke
"He ruined my birthday!!!" - former Jack White fan
"He ruined my birthday!!!" - former Jack White fan-- Jeremy Current
Jack White is a shit bag. Played for an hour and left because he's a prick. #dicklicker
Jack White is a shit bag. Played for an hour and left because he's a prick. #dicklicker-- Ryan Schimmenti
I just paid $90 a ticket to see Jack White play for less than an hour?! Fuck that guy. Dick.
I just paid $90 a ticket to see Jack White play for less than an hour?! Fuck that guy. Dick.-- Brian Pluta :(
Jack White just showed New York he is a fucking douchebag. A one-hour set in which accused the crowd of acting like NPR fans and stormed off
Jack White just showed New York he is a fucking douchebag. A one-hour set in which accused the crowd of acting like NPR fans and stormed off-- Rob Cox
Excitement turns into disbelief as one of my most influential music heroes plays 45 mediocre minutes and leaves. I'm done with Jack White.
Excitement turns into disbelief as one of my most influential music heroes plays 45 mediocre minutes and leaves. I'm done with Jack White.-- Jeremy Current
People are returning they're Jack White merchandise at the gift shop. I am not kidding
People are returning they're Jack White merchandise at the gift shop. I am not kidding-- Hunter Walker
Jack White, thanks for a mediocre night at Radio City. I thought u were a rock star...
Jack White, thanks for a mediocre night at Radio City. I thought u were a rock star...-- Nadia Gonzalez
People are about to riot at Jack White, omg
People are about to riot at Jack White, omg-- Jessica Misener
FUCK YOU Jack White you have lost me as a fan forever
FUCK YOU Jack White you have lost me as a fan forever-- Lisa Piccirillo
"We like Meg better anyway!" - Angry mob member at Jack White concert
"We like Meg better anyway!" - Angry mob member at Jack White concert-- Olga Tchoumak
Curtain down after 1 little hour? Room full of angry, ex-Jack White fans. #jackwhite
Curtain down after 1 little hour? Room full of angry, ex-Jack White fans. #jackwhite-- Lili, knitter
wow jack white, i didnt know that level of diva existed. 1 hour show? #jackwhitesux #jackwhite
wow jack white, i didnt know that level of diva existed. 1 hour show? #jackwhitesux #jackwhite-- ctina
...and that's just a few of the angry tweets.
There's a strong possibility that White cut the show short because a huge amount of the tickets for the gig went to scalpers, but who knows.
Tickets for this gig were kinda pricey, so playing a show that is about half the length of the average performance on this tour is definitely a dick move. But here's one thing to consider: We're used to encores being a given at shows, but they're not really supposed to be this empty ritual. The audience is entitled to a show, not an encore. If White wasn't feeling it, or felt like the crowd wasn't into what he was doing, it's his prerogative to decline an encore.