The Hold Steady Host Killer Parties At Electric Ballroom

by | Mar 14, 2023 | Live Reviews

Tonight, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. The Hold Steady have hit their 20th anniversary this year. The band are weeks away from releasing a new album. They’re in the middle of their annual three-day London residency, appropriately named The Weekender (after one of their songs). Hell, it’s a Saturday night. In Camden.

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-015

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-015

No surprise then that The Electric Ballroom is almost overflowing with good people and good vibes. Then again, so is the stage. As soon as Craig Finn, Tad Kubler, Galen Polivka, Bobby Drake, Franz Nicolay, and Steve Selvidge walk on to the sounds of Bay City Rollers’ Saturday Night, it’s clear the six men aren’t going to have much room to manoeuvre. They have even less when joined later by the two members of The Horn Steady UK.

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-016

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-016

But something as trivial as physical space isn’t going to cramp their style. They kick off with three especially raucous rockers from early in their career, barely pausing for breath as Stuck Between Stations rolls into The Swish, which tumbles into Barfruit Blues. Sure, there are quieter moments later (like 2021’s failed Hollywood dream Lanyards), but the momentum just seems to keep building as the band commune with their fans.

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-009

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-009

Although keyboard player Nicolay looks especially thrilled facing the audience from stage right, it’s Finn’s typically unbridled enthusiasm that’s most engaging. Thrashing through the passion, he’s all ecstatic pointing, waving, beaming, confetti throwing, arms-wide-open gesturing, and full-throated singing.

The fans respond in kind, shouting along to Finn’s nuanced lyrics about people trying to find their way, trying to create a better life, trying to make human connections, trying to have a good time. These are dense, intricate narratives featuring the occasional “woah woah” (this is rock ‘n roll after all), and yet everybody seems to know every word.

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-004

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-004

It’s only Grand Junction, a previously unheard song from forthcoming ninth album The Price Of Progress (due 31 March), that receives a (relatively) muted response. Then again, perhaps the crowd are stunned (relatively) silent by the majesty of the music and its accompanying story: a couple driving around the western part of the United States seeking freedom, but instead just fighting — partly because men she’s talking to online keep sending her presents.

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-010

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-010

The thrashier, grittier Sideways Skull (also the name of the rather delicious special IPA on sale tonight) is the other new track performed and, having been released as a single in January, is greeted with open arms, like a future fan favourite in the vein of Entitlement Crew. One of many highlights in a set that embraces The Hold Steady’s two most recent (excellent) albums, the 2019 track incites as much whooping, dancing, and crowd surfing as the many, many bona fide classics in Saturday’s setlist. Like the absolutely jubilant Stay Positive, skanky Your Little Hoodrat Friend, dynamic You Can Make Him Like You, breezy Sequestered In Memphis, tireless party anthem Massive Nights, and Chips Ahoy (offhandedly introduced as “a song about a boy, a girl, and a horse”).

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-001

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-001

So, when Finn declares “Now, let’s build something” before a catch-your-breath rendition of Constructive Summer, he’s clearly talking about more than just a song. Over two decades, The Hold Steady have been able to build a real community that, to quote the singer tonight, “is as important as the players on stage”. They may not be the biggest band in the world. But, based on this Saturday night in Camden, they must have the biggest fans.

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-002

The Hold Steady Electric Ballroom 110323-002

Review of The Hold Steady at Electric Ballroom on 11th March 2023 by Nils van der Linden. Photography by Simon Reed.

The Academic Sit Pretty At The Shepherd’s Bush Empire

BST Hyde Park (Kalpesh Patel)

BST 2023 Will Set Hyde Park On Fire

... but we didn't start it – pun intended of course! As summer looms and festival season comes onto our minds once...
Wild Rivers

Wild Rivers Announce UK Tour

The powerful emotions and timeless songwriting behind Toronto-hailing indie-trio Wild Rivers, continues to earn the...
Alice Cooper (Kalpesh Patel)

Hollywood Vampires Announce Live In Rio Ahead Of European Tour

With I Got A Line On You we get a glimpse into one of the most spectacular live shows of the last years. The new...
Black Honey @ Alexandra Palace (Kalpesh Patel)

Black Honey Unleash Third Record A Fistful Of Peaches

Brightonian four-piece Black Honey have released their third L.P. A Fistful Of Peaches today. Led by firebrand...
Neriah (Maxine Bowen)

Rising Pop Star NERIAH Releases Shimmering EP

Breakout pop icon Neriah Fisher – NERIAH – has released her vulnerable new EP, No One Cries Forever, out now via...
JuBillee

JuBillee Welcome You To Their Country Music Party

UK Country music duo Billy Warren and Justine Wilson – JuBillee – have a No. 1 Country Album and two No. 1 singles in...
Hozier (Julia Johnson)

Hozier Drops Eat Your Young And Announces Tour

Award-winning multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Hozier has today released his new EP Eat Your Young. The three-song EP...
Phoenix + Clairo (Kalpesh Patel)

Phoenix Enlist Clairo For New Version Of After Midnight

Acclaimed, GRAMMY® award-winning French band Phoenix have enlisted indie-pop phenom Clairo and her ethereal vocals for...
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin