The Hold Steady. They pack more energy into one show than most bands on an entire tour. It was my friend’s first time seeing them, and she was amazed how they just don’t stop — one song after another with no letting up.
It was a great set. I was glad to hear “You Gotta Dance” and “Girls Like Status”. And I figured “Stay Positive” was the last song, so when the first chord of “How a Resurrection Really Feels” escaped I damn near exploded.
The choices complemented the set from the Harrisburg show earlier in the year (whether intentionally or not) with the new songs fitting comfortably in with the old (I can’t imagine going to a future show and not hearing “The Weekenders”).
It’s hard to explain the pure frenetic glee Craig Finn projects the entire show. But from the first line to the last, he is on, and he is having fun.
“We Can Get Together”
So simple, so true.
A few more pictures at Flickr, and setlist below the jump.
“Positive Jam” “Stuck Between Stations” “Hurricane J” “Girls Like Status” “The Swish” “Rock Problems” “You Can Make Him Like You” “Stevie Nix” “Multitude of Casualties” “Hot Soft Light” “You Gotta Dance” “Chips Ahoy” “The Smidge” “We Can Get Together” “Magazines” “Southtown Girls” “Weekenders” “Sequestered in Memphis” “Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night” “Killer Parties”
“Constructive Summer” “Your Little Hoodrat Friend” “Stay Positive” “How a Resurrection Really Feels”
