Hold Steady Blow Minds

If there was any justice in the world, The Hold Steady would be packing Toronto's Rogers Centre like AC/DC. But we all know life ain't fair and too many people listen to classic rock stations. But you can't blame the band for rocking like they were playing to tens of thousands instead of the thousand-or-so concertgoers that packed the Phoenix on Tuesday night.

In fact, THS were only the openers, since it was the Drive-By Truckers' turn to take the headlining spot in the rotating double-bill of the Rock And Roll Means Well tour. This was rather unfortunate for Toronto, as THS are clearly at the point where they deserve 90 minutes of headlining glory.

They drew heavily from their latest album, Stay Positive, and the Brooklyn quintet tore through their set with energy that should put most of their indie rock counterparts to shame, if not into retirement. "Sequestered In Memphis," "Joke About Jamaica" and "Magazines" showcased lead singer Craig Finn's seizure dancing and singing/shouting pipes as well as guitarist Tad Kubler's ability to rip through remarkably fresh classic rock riffs (while looking a lot like Chuck Klosterman).

While some have found Finn's limited vocal range grating, nothing represents THS' "just one of you" mantra better. Give me that over a legion of syrup-throated Clap Your Hands Say Yeah wannabes any day.

If AC/DC sing the praises of rock (or those about to), then Finn's too-clever and bittersweet lyrics sing the praises of experiencing music — the drugs, the hangovers, the girls and the break from your shitty real life.

If you didn't get chills down your back when Finn shouted, "Raise a toast to Saint Joe Strummer/I think he might have been our only decent teacher," with the crowd responding in turn, you simply have no soul.

Set highlight "Stay Positive" served as a singalong anthem for the generation of aging scenesters who showed up on Tuesday night, with the lyrics, "There's gonna come a time when the scene will seem less sunny/And they'll probably get too druggy and the kids will seem too skinny."

Old favourites like "The Swish," "Most People Are DJs" and "Milkcrate Mosh" pushed the set along with urgency, while "Chips Ahoy!" from 2006's Boys And Girls In America was perfectly boisterous and hilarious.

THS closed with "Slapped Actress," with its timeless "whoa, whoa" chorus and its theme of Barack Obama-approved hope. The band have a dedicated following of Deadhead-like fans who call themselves the Unified Scene, and it's easy to see why. The Hold Steady are the celebration of music and rock fans personified.

Reviewer's note: My humble apologies to the Drive-By Truckers. You rocked and inspired some guy in a groovy hat to dance like a faerie-cowboy and steal beers, but I had to leave after four songs. I will make it up to you next time.