(Photo: Courtesy of the Hold Steady)

6. The Hold Steady Hold Steady
It might seem small-minded to celebrate the fact that a band, especially a genial gang of Brooklynites like the Hold Steady, failed to become huge stars. But when bands hit the big time—and start hurrying through a set for a crowd that’s two-thirds people irritated that they haven’t played the big single and one-third people irritated at that first group—does anyone win besides vendors of overpriced beer? Better to stay at the level of intimacy that allows for events like the Hold Steady’s October 1 drunken-sing-along-dance-party at Irving Plaza. For not becoming too famous, we raise our cup of slightly-less-overpriced beer and shout, “Wooooooo!”