LIVE REVIEW: Bob Mould in Boston, MA (05.02.25)
While perusing the Bob Mould subreddit the other day, I noticed someone wrote that they weren’t sure it was worth driving to Boston to see him perform. They mentioned that 1989-93 was their favorite era and that Mould wasn’t playing songs from that time on this tour. Another redditor commented: “He’s a living legend. As far as I’m concerned, he can play whatever he likes and I’ll happily hand over my cash to see it.” I agree. The 64-year-old’s career spans four decades–from punk rock band Hüsker Dü in the 1980s to alternative rock band Sugar in the 1990s and as a solo artist since the late 80s. There are some musicians and bands that you just need to see live at least once. That’s why I added Bob Mould to my list of acts to see. I’d never seen him perform solo or with Hüsker Dü or Sugar. Like that Redditor, I guess I was a fan of the same Mould era–I initially became a fan through Sugar. I played Copper Blue lots when it came out in 1992. I genuinely enjoy his first solo album, Workbook, too.
As we stood in the long queue to get into the club on Friday night, my friend Susie said she was happy to see a line for Bob. Most of the crowd looked like Mould – middle-aged balding white dudes with glasses. People were eager to get in and stake a spot for the night to witness a rock genius performing up close in a club setting. About 900 people packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Paradise Rock Club on Friday night. It was hot. It was so hot that I had to buy a Liquid Death to drink some cold water (usually, I make do with the tap water they set out in jugs). I started upstairs and ended up at the bar to the side of the stage with a mostly obstructed view.
This sold-out Boston date landed about two-thirds of the way on the Here We Go Crazy tour. It was a loud, energetic, and sweaty show. Mould and his band (bassist Jason Narducy and drummer Jon Wurster) churned through an impressive 27-song setlist. Many songs only run 2-3 minutes, making it a fast, frenzied show.
With 15 solo studio albums, Mould has quite a catalog of songs to choose from and can play whatever he wants. The setlist focused on songs from the last 15 years of Mould’s solo career. His songs are rage-fueled, moody, and cranky observations on politics, humanity, and relationships. He screams/sings with a highly distinctive, nasally raspy voice. Mould and company performed six songs from Here We Go Crazy, including the title track, “Neanderthal,” and “You Need to Shine.” the set pulled six songs from 2020’s Blue Hearts including the pissy and once again relevant “American Crisis,” and “Next Generation” and four songs off 2016’s Patch the Sky including “Losing Time” and probably my favorite, “Black Confetti.” The nearly 90-minute set also featured seven Husker Du songs: “Hardly Getting Over It,” “Celebrated Summer,” “Flip Your Wig,” “Hate Paper Doll,” “Something I Learned Today,” “Chartered Trips,” and “Makes No Sense At All.”
Bottom line: see the legends while you can. Bob Mould is healthy and ambitious, and it seems unlikely he’ll stop touring anytime. Still, it’s been five years since he released an album, and you never know. Things happen.
Featured image courtesy of BMG.
