LIVE REVIEW: The Hold Steady in The Academy

As a man who takes his faith seriously, it probably makes sense that Craig Finn, much-lauded frontman of The Hold Steady, would do a decent impression of an evangelical preacher.
The crowd – suitably devoted to a group who've been cult heroes for over a decade – are treated to a masterclass in leading a rock band. He might look like a software engineer, but Finn's idiosyncratic lyrics are delivered with the braggadocio of a professional wrestler. He’s not, as he once wrote, a Tennyson in denim and sheepskin; more a Jagger in well-pressed slacks and a natty button-up.
The first five songs are from five different albums. That says a lot about both the belief the band has in their back catalogue, and the confidence they have in their audience. Sure enough, from older cuts like 'The Swish' through to 'I Hope This Whole Thing Didn’t Frighten You' – taken from this year’s Teeth Dreams – there’s a mob of very excited men in the front rows bellowing every syllable.
Musically, it’s a chunky brand of guitar-driven rock; not always the Hold Steady’s style. Indeed, some old favourites such as 'Southtown Girls' and 'First Night’ clearly miss the deft touches of departed keyboardist Franz Nicolay. On the flipside, the meatier tunes – 'Stuck Between Stations' and 'Stay Positive', for instance – sound all the better for the addition of guitarist Steve Selvidge.
It’s all got the feel of a classic rock 'n' roll night out. Finishing with a Violent Femmes cover might seem an odd choice, but if there’s ever a time to throw your arm around a stranger and yell "I like American music", it's tonight.