The Hold Steady - Concert Review

Story by Jacob Zlomke 

| Published Nov 23, 2010

Craig Finn, front man for the Hold Steady who headlined with the Filter Kings and Company of Thieves, was not singing songs last Tuesday night at the Bourbon Theater. He was telling parables, important lessons that he has lived for the audience to learn and take to heart.
As Finn told the audience before playing “Girls Like Status,” “This song is about a piece of advice my father gave me when I was 14. He said ‘Craig, guys go for looks, girls go for status’.”
Finn is a master of the stage, and by all means he should be. He’s been playing live shows since 1994. He is there for the audience — the way he revels in the cheers and raised fists, the way he makes eye contact. It’s captivating. He may as well be the only one in the room. He delivers his lessons in such a way that the crowd realizes: this man knows his shit.
The times when his voice isn’t half shouting, half singing of youthful debauchery, Finn pleads with the audience through overemphatic gestures and mouthing words. During “Hot Soft Light,” Finn promises that he was not involved in a crime, mouthing “I wasn’t, I swear I really wasn’t.” And you believe him because he believes himself. So, thanks almost entirely to Finn, the magic of the Hold Steady on album transfers well into the magic of the Hold Steady on stage.
Unfortunately, the rest of the band could not hold up Finn’s own lust for the stage. The two guitarists seemed too busy in their self-perceived genius to notice the audience while the bassist, though enthusiastic at times, seemed unnatural and uncomfortable on stage. Each played his instrument exceedingly well and would have looked fine in any other band. But fine isn’t good enough when you’re playing next to Finn.
There were moments where even Finn managed to lose the audience, however. During “Your Little Hoodrat Friend,” an instrumental break that on album lasts about 15 seconds, dragged on into a five-minute guitar duel that would have done fine at a Phish concert, but not here.
All in all, Finn’s bandmates have a thing or two to learn from their front man. Finn knows what he’s doing and he wants you to know what he’s done. And Finn is a good teacher, worthy of attention. Despite a few downfalls, in the end, lesson learned.