Craig Finn @ LP Records, Glasgow, 23 Apr

Live Review by Iain Dallas | 22 May 2017

It’s a Sunday night and LP Records is packed from wall-to-wall with an audience of all ages; a testament to the wide appeal that comes from the unique quality of Craig Finn’s act.

Fans of Finn, and his band – The Hold Steady – will be aware of the narrative style of his vocal delivery. His songs weave vivid tales of America with fully formed characters, and this style has garnered obvious comparisons to the likes of Springsteen, Cohen and Dylan. But watching his act in this intimate (see also ‘cramped’) setting boosts the contention that Finn is as much a storyteller as he is a musician. In fact, in this solo guise, it is possible that the former is closer to the truth.

He starts out with a few tracks from his latest album We All Want The Same Things, from the funereal march of God in Chicago to the witty and upbeat Jester & June. A few songs in, it becomes apparent that the words Finn speaks between each song are as much a part of his act as the songs themselves. He covers various topics, from a humorous explanation of his disdain for nu-metal to a chilling reflection on his encounter with the attacks on New York City on 9/11, all with the audience hanging on his every word. The second half of his set comprises of a selection of songs from his, and The Hold Steady’s, back catalogue, with the unexpected Modesto Is Not That Sweet a particular highlight.

The crowd, most of which are sat on the floor of the shop, are attentive and respectful throughout, in what is a special evening with one of rock'n'roll’s greatest bards. Later on, as the crowd pose questions, Finn is asked: ‘Why haven’t you written a book yet?’ Why indeed, Craig?

https://craigfinn.bandcamp.com