The Hold Steady give thanks and rock First Avenue
The Hold Steady rocks First Avenue
The Hold Steady are no strangers to Minneapolis, with several of its members including singer Craig Finn and guitarist Tad Kubler being from the area. And each time they return, an explosive show can be expected. Unlike the Rock the Garden headlining slot last summer which was an exception to that rule (and a total dud), the sold out First Avenue show on Saturday November 24th was another rager. The Hold Steady at First Avenue is more than a rock concert, it is a rock-n-roll religious experience. I seen the band at First Avenue several times now, and the massive energy from those concerts is still fresh in my mind.
On this night the band was well rested, all smiles, and in very fine form. From beginning to end this show was overflowing with Minneapolis energy, and it felt great. At one point in the middle of the show, Craig Finn exclaimed, “It really feels like we are all just friends here”, and he was telling the truth. By the end of the show Finn convinced me that “We are all The Hold Steady”. The band worked through their standouts with “Constructive Summer”, “Your Little Hoodrat Friend” and “Killer Parties” really standing out. They also introduced three new songs including a gem titled “Wait a While”.
This was a rock show. It made me feel so blessed to be living in Minneapolis. Indiana band, Murder by Death opened with an alt-rock set, that at times sounded eerie with the addition of an electric cello. They were decent, but I felt if they worked on dynamics more, they could be much better.
Photos taken for the music blog Reviler.
The Hold Steady – First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 11.24.12 setlist:
Multitude Of Causalities
Stuck Between Stations
Hurricane J
Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night
The Swish
Rock Problems
Magazines
The Sweet Part Of The City
New Song (She?)
You Can Make Him Like You
Constructive Summer
Hot Soft Light
Wait a While (New Song)
Chips Ahoy
(New Song)
Sequestered In Memphis
Southtown Girls
Your Little Hoodrat Friend
Massive Nights
Slapped Actress
Encore:
Positive Jam
Stay Positive
Killer Parties Almost Killed Me
Murder by Death
