The Hold Steady’s set at Boston Calling made me realize that these guys are a perfect set for a festival environment. Those who know them can get drunk and sing along to their bar-rock inspired tunes, while those who are new to them can certainly get charmed by their heavy guitar riffage and animated lead by frontman Craig Finn.
I’ve seen them a couple of times now this year, and the Brooklyn-based group has been as locked in as ever at each of the shows. They’re 14-song set was essentially one composed of all their greatest hits, full of their explosive guitar arsenal (“Chips Ahoy!”), witty lyrical Crag Finn moments (“Your Little Hoodrat Friend”) and even crowd-pleasing singalongs (“Southtown Girls”).
The Hold Steady provided one of the best rock sets of the weekend so far, one that was without a doubt the most fun. You know where to find me the next time they’re back in New York.
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