The Hold Steady Host Killer Parties At Electric Ballroom

by | Mar 14, 2023

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

Kanadia (Andy Ford)

Kanadia Announce Third Album ‘The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home’ And Share Cathartic New Single ‘Too Late Now’

Oxford-based alternative rockers Kanadia have announced their third studio album, The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home, set for release on 26th September. A sweeping and emotionally charged 50-minute record, the new album is described as a sonic journey through the fragility and beauty of human emotion, with the band promising an abundance of dreamlike textures, massive hooks, and haunting melodies.

Skunk Anansie @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

Skunk Anansie Unveil Powerful Visual For Deeply Personal New Single ‘Shame’

British rock legends Skunk Anansie have released a striking new video for their latest single Shame, a raw and emotional track that sees frontwoman Skin dive deep into her own past, confronting complex family dynamics and personal identity with unflinching honesty.

Sabrina Carpenter @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Jordan Curtis Hughes / Alfredo Flores)

An Explosive Sabrina Carpenter Show Keeps Drenched London Warm At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Hey London, how you doing? My name’s Sabrina — what’s your name?”. There is a daft cacophony of replies, that shows...
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing