Bethlehem baby (28 dec)

[howard]

As flights, tickets etc are all booked I thought I'd start a thread.

This is if only to provide an outlet for all the rubbish jokes about being in Bethlehem at nearly Christmas (and apologies to people who live there since they must have heard every variation) but:

- we won't need satnav as we can follow the star
- the hotels will be full but we can sleep in a stable
- if only we had a wise man
- various riffs about Christmas presents, shephrds, etc.

Hoping for a small venue to see the boys bring the usual A game and some new songs.

[hoodrat]

I think me showing up would make those Christmas baby jokes all a little too real.

[jessicalyn]

i'm in for this one, too!

[jessicalyn]

Has anybody heard who the opener is on this show?

[howard]

Jessica - sent you a pm.

However, if either you or anyone else from the boards can offer some tips for Bethlehem about food and bars pre-show that would be much appreciated (and wholly typical of the kind people here).

All i know is that its' a college town and it may be a bit quiet at this time of year since the students will be home for Christmas.

[jessicalyn]

Dec 24, 2012 5:18:01 GMT -5 howard said:

Jessica - sent you a pm.

However, if either you or anyone else from the boards can offer some tips for Bethlehem about food and bars pre-show that would be much appreciated (and wholly typical of the kind people here).

All i know is that its' a college town and it may be a bit quiet at this time of year since the students will be home for Christmas.

sent you a PM

i'm not from the area, so i'm hoping that someone has some suggestions for things to do in Bethlehem.

[dmwhalen]

You guys are going to love this venue. Great sound. Small space. Stage is set up perfectly for a stage invasion.

Casino is within walking distance. College bars are a cab ride away.

[jessicalyn]

Dec 25, 2012 22:01:39 GMT -5 dmwhalen said:

You guys are going to love this venue. Great sound. Small space. Stage is set up perfectly for a stage invasion.

Casino is within walking distance. College bars are a cab ride away.

all things that i love to hear! we're staying close to the venue, and stage invasion? i'd be into that.

[bone]

Any word on an opener?

Looks like this will be an early show:

Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm

Never been there before, but it looks like it will be a great venue.

[giantladder]

Man, am I looking forward to this show!! First time seeing THS since the Brooklyn Night Bazaar show over a YEAR AGO!!! That's just not acceptable!!

[mhetrick14]

this is going to be a GREAT venue for the band. perfect sized room, and like the above poster said, stage invasion imminent. steelstacks lit up in the background are nice as well. cheap beer is plentiful inside the musikfest cafe as well.

there is a small bar downstairs that sells beer/wine that should be open. it's past will call and the movie theater. i might just grab a few there and then get in early and booze heavy inside the venue.

the closest decent bar is either looper's or jp mcgrady's, both on 3rd st. these are about 10 minutes walking distance from the venue. parking is free at the artsquest lot off polk st. and at the casino deck. the casino is about a 5 minute walke to the venue.

cabs in the city are not necessarily scarce but you really should call if you want one; it's not like you can flag one down easily.

bar suggestion: the funhouse on 4th. great dive bar, often with a good live act playing real loud late at night.

if you want a quick bite to eat, bethlehem brew works on the north side has your normal pub grub. if you're looking for something nicer but still trendy, theMINT gastropub (also on the north side) is 10 minutes from the venue.

bethlehem is a wonderful little city and the artsquest center is a beautiful facility. i think y'all are gonna have a blast.

[jessicalyn]

I emailed the venue and they said the opener is Purling Hiss? I've never heard of them.

And mhetrick14, thanks for all the info! i look forward to invading the stage with some of you tomorrow night. If you see a heavily tattooed girl with brown and purple hair, say hi!

[john k]

purling hiss are great. sort of dino jr meets GBV

[dmwhalen]

My girlfriend has to work, so I've got an extra if anyone needs one.

I just love show days.

[Phils_fan]

Positive Jam
Stuck between Stations
Hurricane J
Cattle
Status
Swish
Rock Problems
Magazines
Tangled Up (formerly called Teeth Dreams)
Sweet Part
You can make him like you
Records and Tapes
Sequestered
Constructive
Hot Soft Light
Wait Awhile
Weekender
Southtown
Hoodrat
Chips Ahoy

Encore
Massive Nights
Stay Positive
Resurrection (dedicated to Jersey Mike)

Two people got engaged on stage between Sequestered and Constructive Summer.

Craig forgot the lyrics of Positive Jam (in the 90's...)

Good show, nice venue. Next stop, Philly!

[howard]

I can't believe it has been since Shepherd's Bush in february 2001 that I've seen them - suffice to say they have not lost any of their charisma and general ability to provide a great night. Band and crew were in fine spirits.

Venue best described as like an out of town arts centre which was clearly adjacent to a former steel works -a cool place and a crowd featuring lots of people who had travelled some distance and knew their stuff.

Craig had the best Bethlehem joke - "So, Christmas city - where it all began. You guys are really beginning to gt some traction with the whole Christmas idea...".

The songs are clearly evolving - there was a sweet bit of Craig singing acapella at the end of records and tapes, something like, "Every single story has many different versions..."

[hundreddollardog]

Article with some nice photos here:
www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2012/12/the_hold_steady_delivers_redem.html

Bobby was having problems with his gear. They gaffer taped the snare strainer into place and later had to replace his bass drum with the bass drum from the opening act-- guessing it was a bass drum head that broke.

Great show! I couldn't believe my luck that they were playing 10 minutes from my family's house while I was home visiting for Christmas. Good times.

I wish I'd remembered to log on before the show, as there are actually some surprisingly good restaurants and bars in B'hem and there's a great indie record store down the street from the venue.

[john k]

new songs sounding good ?

[howard]

I love records and tapes - for me, Finn on ace lyrical form. The whole sound is fab.

Don't know how I forgot to post this bit, as they began, "How a resurrection really feels" Finn gave a heartfelt cry of "Jersey Mike".

A very special band.

[jessicalyn]

Of the new songs, I really liked Wait Awhile. The energy last night from the band and the crowd was pretty great.

[bigontheinside]

Ha, Craig's always forgetting the words Positive Jam...

[TKalltheTime]

As always had a great time going to "church".

Was also nice to see Craig show in my loathing of the NHL lockout and having a little chat off the stage while they fixed the drum problems.

Craig was also by his own admission "having a really good time" as he was the most fucked up I have seen him on stage in a long while.

Throat / voice is still gone from singing along all night long.

Great times as always.

[giantladder]

First time seeing the band this year (lack of Brooklyn/NYC shows) and first time traveling out-of-town for a show.
Took three hours to drive there from Queens. Two hours to get to the Holland Tunnel, then one more to Bethlehem. Something is wrong with that math!

Great venue, easy to get near the stage, planted myself in front of Tad.

Craig was in great form, did blow the 90's line in the Positive Jam opener, took a little while to pull it back! Bobby's drum troubles led to some interesting stage banter, including a long Q&A session.
CF: Any questions?
Me: Why do you wear a watch onstage?
CF: This J. Crew? Because I like to be on time! And it hides a little patch of excema (which he showed off).

He went into a long rant about the NHL BS, talked about going home for Xmas and catching three high school hockey games.

Bobby had snare problems, and ended up blowing out his bass drum head.

The crowd was great, recognized a lot of Brooklyn faces. By the end of the show, the place felt like MHOW, just not as much sweaty bumping. Despite being in Yuengling country, Dusty still set the band up with Bud cans. Craig spilled more than he drank.

Can't tell you how tempted I was to hit Philly the next night and NYE in Jersey, but when you're 50 and married, you pick your spots wisely! This one was a great choice.

[jessicalyn]

Dec 29, 2012 8:52:57 GMT -5 hundreddollardog said:

Article with some nice photos here:
www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2012/12/the_hold_steady_delivers_redem.html

Thanks for posting this! I'm in a bunch of these pictures. Such a fun night!