Jack White Is Performing At A Tesla Factory For Its Workers Tonight
Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Tesla has been in the news a lot lately, and not always for the best reasons. Founder Elon Musk, known in music circles as Grimes’ boyfriend, gave a melodramatic interview to the New York Times about the company’s struggles this week — struggles that include an S.E.C. investigation and heavy critique of his union-busting practices — and has developed a reputation for getting into fights on Twitter, including with artists and musicians well below his pay grade. But at least one music-related storyline is looking up for Musk: He’s hosting a Jack White concert for the workers at one of his Tesla factories tonight.
As Business Insider reports, White will play a free concert for workers tonight at Tesla’s Fremont, California factory — the one the state of California is investigating over safety concerns. The show begins at 5:30 PT. Workers will need their Tesla badges to enter the show, and as usual at Jack White concerts, no videos or photography will be allowed. The gig was reportedly White’s idea.
White has long been a fan of Tesla. As Pitchfork points out, he drives a Tesla Model S and has called Musk “the Henry Ford of the 21st century.”
UPDATE: Here’s a video from the event, and a quote about Tesla from White.
“I am a huge fanatic and supporter of everything Tesla has been doing since day one. I’m proud to say I was one of the first Model S owners in Nashville, which I think is the greatest automobile ever made. It’s been a thought of mine for a few years now that I would love to do a free concert for the employees at the Fremont factory. I believe that what Tesla is doing is so important for the future of how we look at car design itself. The added benefits of its help towards fixing climate change and taking the world away from the internal combustion engine are incredible. Making cars that are safer for the occupants and others on the road also fulfill the pioneered dreams of automobile entrepreneur, Preston Tucker, which ultimately is the definition of the American dream. I’m very excited to play for Tesla’s employees who are doing so much good for the progression of technology and the world right now.”
