Live Review: The Hold Steady - 12/5/25 Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg NYC

The Hold Steady

12/5/25 Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg NYC

It is hard to believe The Hold Steady have been holding their annual Massive Nights celebration at Brooklyn Bowl for ten years now, since RtBE was there for the first one and we haven't missed a year since. 

Also exciting is that the last few years have seen the band actually improving. Last year was the tightest musically we have seen from The Hold Steady during their Massive Night shows, while this year on Friday Night December 5th, the band was in just as fine form, playing even longer, with tons of joy. 

For the tenth anniversary Massive Night run there would be no opener as The Hold Steady decided to play two sets. The opening set each night would focus on one of their past albums as the group, Craig Finn (vocals, guitar), Tad Kubler (guitar), Galen Polivka (bass), Bobby Drake (drums), Franz Nicolay (keyboards) and Steve Selvidge (guitar), seems to be more cohesive than ever.  

Friday nights opening set saw the band return to 2008 and deliver a dynamite version of Stay Positive. A clear fan favorite The group blasted out with two of their best songs to start the show, both "Constructive Summer" and "Sequestered In Memphis" got the sold out crowd singing along, waving their hands in the air and hugging their neighbors. 

The swaying "Lord, I'm Discouraged" was a delight as Kubler broke out his double necked guitar for the solo. An excellent surprise was Finn mentioning this would be when you flip the record over and instead of doing that, they wanted to showcase Stay Positive's outtakes, which are the best outtakes from any of the bands records. 

"Cheyenne Sunrise" was delivered in languid fashion, "Ask Her For Adderall" was tight and punky with excellent drumming from Drake and the rarity "Two Handed Handshake" was cheered loudly by the long time fans in attendance. 

The bright "Yeah Sapphire" had a huge ending while Moshpit Josh arrived to help out on vocals for the albums title track. The dramatic "Slapped Actresses" closed the album while the surprising bust out "Midnight Hauler" wrapped up a stout first set. That opening would be enough for a full show most nights but the band still had a ton left in the tank.    

The newer offering "The Birdwatchers" started the set with the group backed by the three piece Horn Steady, blowing out the sound. Nicolay's keys highlighted "Stuck Between Stations" which had a ton of energy before "Barfruit Blues" hit heavy. The horns added off-kilter groove to "40 Bucks", punch on "Banging Camp" and nuance on "Heavy Covenant". The band stripped back down to their core as Plivka's bass groove led "Chips Ahoy" and Selvidge's guitar ripped out some "Sketchy Metal".   

Surprisingly, The Hold Steady broke out a brand new song, "Malachi & Jessica" which fit in their style while favorites like "Hurricane J" and "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" had confetti flying. The horns returned to close out the night (which did not include an encore) as "Entitlement Crew", the gatherings title song "Massive Nights" and the swirling guitar and light show of "Killer Parties" were all show highlights. 

Over a 33 song show The Hold Steady delivered their hits, brought back amazing memories for their fans and proved they could deliver another ten years of Massive Nights. 

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