May 2010, 40 Watt, Athens, Ga.
I can’t understand why The Hold Steady is not a huge band, I can’t. The band writes tight, inventive, crowd-pleasing sing-along songs — they don’t write throwaway songs and they genuinely care about what they’re doing. I think if everyone saw them live, they would become instant fans. There would be no denying the power of this band.
Craig Finn and his merry music makers came to the 40 Watt Club in 2010 for a night of frivolity, and the two-hour set was a revelation from the start of “Sweet Part of the City” at the show’s outset to the encore ending of “How A Resurrection Really Feels.” My wife came with me for the show, not really knowing that much about the band beyond my constant exultations of how great they were live. By show’s end, she had to agree, as we spent the show right near the stage, hopping and moving with the mass of fans.
In between the raucous crowd was treated to several newer songs (“Hurricane J,” “The Weekenders,” “Barely Breathing”), old favorites (“Stevie Nix,” “The Swish,” “Your Little Hoodrat Friend”), and the heady anthems (“Constructive Summer,” “Stay Positive,” “Sequestered in Memphis,” “Massive Nights”), which kept the audience in constant motion. There was even a guest singer, as Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood took the stage to sing “Navy Sheets” with the boys — and yes, you will only get that in Athens.
There was the stellar play of guitarist Tad Kubler and new guitarist Steve Selvidge, but the night belonged to Finn, whose manic machinations, hilarious expressions and fun dancing make him impossible not to watch. Aside from a stray problem with his mic (the bass went out as well at one point), Finn never lost hold of the audience, clapping and urging the crowd, which sang along or tried its best to keep up.
I’ve seen the band four times, all in Athens, and was amazed they still played Athens — the band should be selling out arenas, not coming to the 40 Watt. But I shouldn’t complain, a band I admire continued to come and play a mile away from my house, and for that I was grateful.
Another epic night for The Hold Steady, but that is no surprise, no surprise at all.
