Last night we drove in to Madison to see The Hold Steady, which, I think, is currently JM's favorite band. They are well known for their lyrical edginess, and so it makes sense, I guess, that a poetry scholar would dig them. But who knew that I would like them so much live? When, during set-up, a roadie draped a towel near the drums, one near the keyboard, and then set a whole stack of them behind the main mic, I should have gotten a clue that we were in for an energetic performance.
The newly bearded lead singer Craig Finn is both a sweater and charmer, soaking through his short-sleeved plaid button down and beaming his big cheeky smile while playing his below-the-gut guitar. And in case his scruffy voice isn't enough, he gestures when he sings, emphasizing each word that needs emphasis (turns out nearly every other one does) with quick, purposeful flicks of his arms, wrists, fingers. He's shown pointing in the picture above, but most of his gestures are probably too fast for a regular camera.
The only regret I have is our choice of balcony seats which happened to be behind one of the band member's parents. When a mother is too loaded to work her video camera, it's probably time to sit on down.
*from "Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night"
