I like Dan Auerbach. A lot. Still, when a credible source told me he put on the best show at Lollapalooza last summer, I was a bit skeptical. After the set Auerbach and The Fast Five put on at Newport Music Hall in Columbus Thursday night (November 5) though, I'm a believer.

Auerbach began the show with "Trouble Weighs a Ton," the first track from his solo album Keep It Hid. It's always odd when a rock show begins with a slower, acoustic number, but Auerbach easily captivated the crowd with his haunting vocals before unleashing the energy of "I Want Some More" on The Newport.

Auerbach is clearly a different animal with The Fast Five than with The Black Keys. He appears to have found some strength in numbers, and can pull off things he could never do with just one bandmate. At times, he simply went hands-to-the-sky while singing, letting the band take care of the rest. During the encore (a new song not on the album), he let the Five slowly build for a few minutes before he came out to take the finale over the top.

Without question, the standout song of the night was "When I Left the Room" (check it out in Chicago, but it was better in C-bus). The song was delivered at an agonizingly slow pace, with Auerbach drawing out each pause more than the last. The anticipation made the bridge and choruses all the more climatic and satisfying.

A close second was "Whispered Words." The chorus of "If you need me, you're here/If you don't, you're nowhere near" and subsequent segway into the song's raucous coda were the heart of the band's set, which included every track from Keep It Hid except Goin' Home (bummer), as well as a few new songs, which were all excellent.

The opening acts proved to be entertaining, which is always a plus. First, Jessica Lea Mayfield, a native of Kent, laid some somber indie folk on the crowd. Next, Justin Townes Earle, also bearing just an acoustic guitar, busted out some damn fine finger-pickin' alt-country. Earle's music is similar to that of his father Steve, but he has certainly found his own voice, and he works a crowd much better than most openers.

So if you get a chance to catch one of the remaining stops on this tour, don't miss out. Auerbach and The Fast Five won't disappoint.