Bob Mould is Bob Mould. That makes sense on the surface, but it’s the underlying point behind it that’s important: namely, Mould doesn’t do anything that Mould wouldn’t do. His personal integrity is almost unmatched in the music world. Certainly, Friday night’s performance at the Majestic for the Forward Music Fest proves this.

Over the course of his hour-plus set, Mould played with exuberance that would warrant a comparison to H?sker D?, his first band. This, of course, was surprising given the fact that Mould’s band consisted solely of Mould on electric guitar and Jason Narducy on bass. There was no percussion at all.

As much as I tried not to let it bother me, the lack of any type of percussion really was irritating. Mould and Narducy still rocked out from the outset of the show, but it was just hard to not be thinking, “Something is missing here.”

I wasn’t the only one to notice and have that thought, either. Between songs, Mould related how hectic this past year had been, with releasing a new album, a new DVD and touring the entire country (and Europe). After listing that agenda, he joked that he was “probably missing something,” to which an audience member yelled, “Drums.” It got laughs from those that heard it.

Apart from that oddity, the show was quite entertaining. Mould reached as far back into his catalogue as he could, playing highlights “See A Little Light” and “Sinners and Their Repentances,” both from his solo debut, *Workbook*. That said, he also played songs from his most recent (soon to be second-most) outing, *District Line*, and a little of everything in between including a late-set rendition of “Your Favorite Thing,” a song from Mould’s second band, Sugar.

The audience was definitely into the show, as people on the floor could be seen either dancing or rocking out. The average age of those attending was probably in the 35-40 range – not your typical age bracket for a show at the Majestic, but nonetheless the crowd was supportive of Mould’s presence, going as far as thanking him for coming after he thanked the crowd.

Overall, it was an interesting performance that many in the audience will cherish for a time to come. But, hey, that’s what Bob Mould has always done.