THE HOLD STEADY (London Bush Hall, 05/05/14)

I kinda went off the Hold Steady after mustachioed keyboardist Franz Nicolay left the band and they started playing massive venues far removed from the sweaty bar-rooms that constitute their natural habitat. Nonetheless, I jumped at the chance to see them at the 600-capacity Bush Hall, because that's the kind of venue they've always excelled at playing. And god, if it wasn't the best show I've seen them do since the heady days of 2008, with a stellar setlist (the encore of Massive Nights, Constructive Summer, Hot Soft Light, Stay Positive and Killer Parties was sheer perfection), Craig Finn at his overenthusiastic best and an audience that treated the whole thing like a religious revival. They might be past their best album-wise, but on stage, the Hold Steady can still bring it.