Recap: Bob Mould at Varsity Theater

by Photos and text by Stacy Schwartz March 31, 2009

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Even though the Varsity Theater is in the midst of a giant remodel, the place was still packed on Monday night for a performance by Bob Mould. It was a milestone show for the former Minneapolitan, being both the anniversary of the very first show by his first band, legendary 1980s punk trio Hüsker Dü, as well as the 20th anniversary of performing his first solo album, Workbook, at First Avenue.  It was hard to believe it had been that long considering that beyond a gray beard, Mould shows no signs of aging or slowing down.
Bob Mould
The night was billed as “An Intimate Evening” with Mould, and it certainly was that.  There were no opening acts, and Mould played for a solid 75 minutes. Only two musicians kept the stage warm (Mould and bass player Jason Narducci), but it was enough. Songs from all three phases of his career—Hüsker Dü, his '90s alt-rock band Sugar, and his diverse solo work—made their presence known over the course of the evening, and Mould seemed content and happy.
Though Mould has sometimes been chatty onstage, he made little small talk, mainly keeping the focus on the music. And why not? His lyrics generally speak for themselves, filled with emotion and saying what, on many occasions, we can never actually spit out ourselves.  Mould excels at cutting to the core of situations, particularly messed-up relationships, that sometimes only the very best songwriters can put into words—without being sappy, and with a wicked guitar riff.  
Mould's newest album, Life And Times, comes out on April 7.
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Set List:
"Wishing Well"
"Hoover Dam"
"See A Little Light"
"The Silence Between Us"
"Favorite Thing"
"Poison Years"
"Sinners and Their Repentances"
"Brasilia Crossed with Trenton"
"Hardly Getting Over It"
"Life and Times"
"The Breach"
"Sorry Baby But You Can’t Stand In My Light Any More"
"Again and Again"
"Circles"
"I Apologize"
"Celebrated Summertime"
"If I Can’t Change Your Mind"
"Makes No Sense At All"
Bob Mould

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