The Hold Steady @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (February 6, 2014)

Last night was a special night for The Hold Steady, who were playing a rather intimate show at Music Hall of Williamsburg in celebration of their 10th anniversary as a band. As band-leader Craig Finn shared, it was actually 11 years ago when the band played their very first show, which just happened to be at the very same location. Back then it used to be called Northsix. But then again, details like this are small when you’re celebrating your band’s 10th anniversary (when it’s really the 11th).

What was important was that it was a special night for all involved, especially for the band who were very thankful for all in attendance. Craig Finn thanked us profusely throughout the night, mouthing thank you time and time again, after nearly every song. Clearly, this was a special occasion.

The 27-song-set featured double encores and was treated as a showcasing of their greatest hits, as literally everything that fans of the Brooklyn-based band could want to hear was delivered with style. The crowd was one of the most enthusiastic ones that you could ask for; singing back every word just as loud as the last. I could go on and list particular songs that stood out, but there were too many to name. It was a reminder of just how amazing their career has been.

Finn reiterated how grateful he was of the band’s success and all the fans, by admitting that when they first got the band together, they had the humblest intentions. He moved to New York to get a regular job, giving up on his dreams of rock and roll. Even when he formed The Hold Steady, they didn’t think it would be the sort of band that would ever play live or record material. They thought it would take the fun out of it. As it turns out, little did they know how fun the whole ride would be.

The Hold Steady have proven that they are very much in it for the long haul. They demonstrated that with performances off brand new material from their upcoming album Teeth Dreams (including first single “I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You”). The tracks blended in well with all the well known classics, giving me high hopes that the new album will be as good as we all hope it will.

Photos from the show posted below along with the set.

1. Positive Jam
2. The Swish
3. Knuckles
4. I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You
5. Cattle and the Creeping Things
6. Stevie Nix
7. Multitude of Casualties
8. The Ambassador
9. Spinners
10. You Can Make Him Like You
11. Chips Ahoy!
12. Same Kooks
13. Almost Everything
14. The Weekenders
15. Rock Problems
16. Magazines
17. Sequestered in Memphis
18. Slapped Actress