NME Festival Guide 2008
The Great Escape
The Hold Steady preview new album at The Great Escape
Hold Steady Pic: Sonia Melot
Band play a slew of new songs at the Brighton festival
The Hold Steady played a slew of new songs destined for the forthcoming new album, 'Stay Positive', at The Great Escape festival in Brighton last night (May 16).
The band were on frenetic form at the Old Market venue, where they took to the stage at 10:15pm (BST).
"Yo! What’s up Brighton? We are The Hold Steady!" frontman Craig Finn shouted as the band bounded onto the stage enthusiastically, opening with 'Stuck Between Stations'.
The crowd responded to the enthusiastic start by throwing beer around manically. By the third song the band were getting irritated by the constant drink throwing. Finn shouted, "Stop throwing beer!" to the culprits in the audience.
New song 'Constructive' featured fast, Ramones-like punk rhythm guitar, Finn's lyrics making references to the summer and how "we are all our only saviours".
New single 'Sequestered In Memphis' saw Finn singing about a woman who "looked desperate" and that "everything's fine here in Memphis".
'Chips Ahoy' and 'My Little Hoodrat Friend' were played towards the death of the set, with Finn describing the former as, "A song about a guy, about a girl and a horse."
'Stay Positive', the last song the band played before the encore, featured a catchy refrain sung in the chorus and Finn repeating the line, "Stay positive" over and over again. Finn also instructed the crowd to, "Stay positive, Brighton!"
The band seemed grateful for the audience's good reaction to their set. They appeared genuinely moved by the enthusiastic cheering.
Before the band left the stage for the last time Finn said: "This is the part where I say one more thing. It is this – there is so much joy in here. Thanks so much Brighton, England – we’ll be back!"
The Hold Steady played:
'Stuck Between Stations'
'Swish'
'Party Pit'
'Massive Nights'
'Constructive'
'Hot Soft Light'
'You Can Make Him Like You'
'Sequestered In Memphis'
'Same Kooks'
'You Gotta'
'Chips Ahoy'
'Your Little Hoodrat Friend'
'Stay Positive'
'South Town Girls'
'Killer Parties'
The band were on frenetic form at the Old Market venue, where they took to the stage at 10:15pm (BST).
"Yo! What’s up Brighton? We are The Hold Steady!" frontman Craig Finn shouted as the band bounded onto the stage enthusiastically, opening with 'Stuck Between Stations'.
The crowd responded to the enthusiastic start by throwing beer around manically. By the third song the band were getting irritated by the constant drink throwing. Finn shouted, "Stop throwing beer!" to the culprits in the audience.
New song 'Constructive' featured fast, Ramones-like punk rhythm guitar, Finn's lyrics making references to the summer and how "we are all our only saviours".
New single 'Sequestered In Memphis' saw Finn singing about a woman who "looked desperate" and that "everything's fine here in Memphis".
'Chips Ahoy' and 'My Little Hoodrat Friend' were played towards the death of the set, with Finn describing the former as, "A song about a guy, about a girl and a horse."
'Stay Positive', the last song the band played before the encore, featured a catchy refrain sung in the chorus and Finn repeating the line, "Stay positive" over and over again. Finn also instructed the crowd to, "Stay positive, Brighton!"
The band seemed grateful for the audience's good reaction to their set. They appeared genuinely moved by the enthusiastic cheering.
Before the band left the stage for the last time Finn said: "This is the part where I say one more thing. It is this – there is so much joy in here. Thanks so much Brighton, England – we’ll be back!"
The Hold Steady played:
'Stuck Between Stations'
'Swish'
'Party Pit'
'Massive Nights'
'Constructive'
'Hot Soft Light'
'You Can Make Him Like You'
'Sequestered In Memphis'
'Same Kooks'
'You Gotta'
'Chips Ahoy'
'Your Little Hoodrat Friend'
'Stay Positive'
'South Town Girls'
'Killer Parties'
Watch The Hold Steady's pre-show ritual at V Festival
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady - Stay PositiveNME Alerts
Get NME news delivered direct to your desktop. Find out more
Add your comment
Please sign in to add your comments or register to have your say.