The Hold Steady returned to Brooklyn Bowl last week for the 2024 edition of their annual Massive Nights run, which ran from Wednesday through Saturday (12/4-12/7). As usual, each night got a unique setlist; A Positive Rage bonus track “40 Bucks” got its live debut on Friday, and Almost Killed Me track “Killer Parties” closed out every encore. There were also, as usual, different surprise guests to open each show — Spiral Heads on Wednesday, Rebuilder on Thursday, Good Looks on Friday, and Guns N Hoses on Saturday. You can see pictures from Friday night’s show by Emilio Herce below, along with setlists from all four nights, and attendee-taken video.
The band also performed at Jesse Malin’s second Beacon Theatre benefit show on Monday, and Craig Finn and Galen Polivka stopped by Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday afternoon ahead of their fourth Massive Night show, where they made a guest appearance at The Rock and Roll Playhouse’s kid show. It featured the music of the Beatles this time, and the Hold Steady were also present in the form of a co-promotion for their new Stay Positive children’s book, based on their song of the same name, which Craig and Galen came onstage to perform. See a video clip of that below, as well.
SETLIST: THE HOLD STEADY @ BROOKLYN BOWL, 12/4/2024
Positive Jam
The Swish
Ascension Blues
Stevie Nix
Lanyards
Sequestered in Memphis
Don’t Let Me Explode
Constructive Summer
Same Kooks
Entitlement Crew
The Sweet Part of the City
The Only Thing
Yeah Sapphire
Carlos Is Crying
Sketchy Metal
Family Farm
Stuck Between Stations
Massive Nights
Sweet Payne
Your Little Hoodrat Friend
Southtown Girls
Encore:
First Night
Charlemagne in Sweatpants
Chips Ahoy!
Killer Parties
SETLIST: THE HOLD STEADY @ BROOKLYN BOWL, 12/5/2024
Hornets! Hornets!
Stuck Between Stations
Party Pit
Sixers
Magazines
You Gotta Dance (With Who You Came to the Dance With)
Understudies
Sequestered in Memphis
One for the Cutters
Denver Haircut
Chips Ahoy!
The Ambassador
Spinners
Multitude of Casualties
Going on a Hike
Constructive Summer
Entitlement Crew
Your Little Hoodrat Friend
Massive Nights
Crucifixion Cruise
Stay Positive
Encore:
The Feelers
Banging Camp
Ballad of the Midnight Hauler
Killer Parties
SETLIST: THE HOLD STEADY @ BROOKLYN BOWL, 12/6/2024
Constructive Summer
Barfruit Blues
Sideways Skull
Chips Ahoy!
Heavy Covenant
Grand Junction
Spices
40 Bucks
Sequestered in Memphis
Banging Camp
Lord, I’m Discouraged
The Weekenders
Stuck Between Stations
T-Shirt Tux
Entitlement Crew
You Did Good Kid
Massive Nights
Confusion in the Marketplace
Your Little Hoodrat Friend
Most People Are DJs
Slapped Actress
Encore:
Criminal Fingers
Party Pit
Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night
Killer Parties
SETLIST: THE HOLD STEADY @ BROOKLYN BOWL, 12/7/2024
Ask Her for Adderall
Stuck Between Stations
You Can Make Him Like You
Hurricane J
Hostile, Mass.
Cattle and the Creeping Things
Blackout Sam
Family Farm
Sequestered in Memphis
Perdido
We Can Get Together
Knuckles
Chips Ahoy!
Constructive Summer
Hot Soft Light
Entitlement Crew
Esther
Massive Nights
Unpleasant Breakfast
Your Little Hoodrat Friend
How a Resurrection Really Feels
Encore:
Certain Songs
Hanover Camera
Stay Positive
Killer Parties