Through the 80-minute set, Ward only played three songs from the new album, just as the show was winding down. He touched on a number of fan favorites, however, running the gamut of styles, whether it was simple folks or straight-up rock and roll. Ward demonstrated his excellent ability to captivate a crowd no matter what he was playing. It all started with “Post-War,” the title cut from his 2006 album. The audience was immediately captivated by Ward’s confidence and stage presence as he wove through tunes like “Primitive Girl” and “Rollercoaster.”

After all of the side work that Ward has done in the past few years, it’s nice to see him back to his usual tricks. It seems as though he’s appropriated a lot of what he’s learned with his other ensembles and worked them into his solo act, making for a musically diverse experience. Not content to simply play straight renditions of his album tracks, Ward and his backing band turned them into new pieces, constantly keeping the audience surprised. One particularly noteworthy part of the show was when the band dropped into “Magic Trick,” turning it into a vastly different version from what’s on the new album.

Perhaps the most compelling part of the evening was the end of the set, when Ward busted out a string of cover songs. Showing off his ability to creatively interpret songs, he pushed David Bowie’s eight-minute epic “Let’s Dance” to completely new musical boundaries. After closing out the main set, the band came back for a brief encore, which included Elvis Presley’s “Such A Night” and Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven.” Listening to artists play covers is always special, as it allows the audience to experience first-hand where their influences come from. And for Ward’s fans in Boston, this was a great way to close out what was a memorable evening.

Ward has been around for a while, but he consistently manages to keep fans engaged. Never content to rest on his laurels, he’s been evolving as a musician for several years, and there’s no reason to suspect that he won’t continue to do so for quite some time. With all of the side work he does in recent years, it can be difficult to remember Ward’s career as a solo artist. Yet, he always manages to deliver a solid album every three years or so. Additionally, he brings a savvy to the stage that you don’t often see, knowing exactly how to cater to a crowd. It all comes together to create a live experience that’s absolutely worth checking out.

The Cranberries rose to prominence in the 90′s when Alternative Rock was booming. With today’s shifted music trends, plus their lengthy layoff, it would be easy to write off The Cranberries as nearly a nostalgia act, but they proved they still have drawing power with a sold out show at the House of Blues, and more important, they showed that they have staying power with an excellent performance of their hits and solid new material. Although, it’s not likely that the band will ever return to the level they once were (nor will most of the bands from that era), new songs like “Tomorrow” and “Schizophrenic Playboys” made it clear that they haven’t fallen off.

Having amassed eight Top 20 hits in their career, The Cranberries wasted no time rattling them off as they kicked off the show with “Dreams” and “Linger”. The entire show was like one big sing-along, as even lesser established hits like “Ridiculous Thoughts” and “I Can’t Be With You” were well-received. Not surprising, the most voices were heard on “Zombie” as fans tried to keep up with Delores O’Riordan as she belted out the beloved power ballad.

O’Riordan was spectacular, with her voice as strong and moving as ever. The Cranberries’ leading lady livened things up by shaking her hips to “Desperate Andy”, shimmying during “Tomorrow” and even brought out some theatrics as she lay onstage for “Ode to My Family”, then with a big wardrobe change, appearing in a beautiful black gown for band’s four song encore that came to an end with crowd favorite “Salvation”.

The hiatus is over and The Cranberries are back to work. No doubt some fans missed out thanks to the House of Blues being sold out long before the band hit town. Hopefully they decide to make up for lost time and come around much more often.

Setlist
1.  Dreams
2.  Linger
3.  Tomorrow
4.  Dreaming My Dreams
5.  Animal Instinct
6.  Just My Imagination
7.  Ode to My Family
8.  Put Me Down
9.  Analyse
10. Desperate Andy
11. When You’re Gone
12. I Can’t Be With You
13. Waltzing Back
14. Wanted
15. Free to Decide
16. Schizophrenic Playboys
17. Ridiculous Thoughts
18. Zombie
Encore
19. Conduct
20. Losing My Mind
21. Promises
22. Salvation

Tenacious D look to rise again as they seem to be everywhere this week, supporting their upcoming release Rize Of The Fenix.

Get the full list of bands and artists making their way through the late night television circuit this week below:

Monday
Tenacious D on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 PM)
Karmin on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, 11:35 PM)
Willie Nelson featuring Ben Harper on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 12:35 PM)
We Are Augustines on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, 1:35 AM)

Tuesday
El-P on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 PM)
Santana on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, 11:35 PM)
Tenacious D on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 12:35 PM)
The Ting Tings on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, 1:35 AM)

Wednesday
Best Coast on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 PM)
Bobby Brown on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, 11:35 PM)
Dr. Dog on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, 1:35 AM)

Thursday
Rufus Wainwright on Conan (TBS, 11 PM)
Regina Spektor on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 PM)
Paul Weller on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 12:35 PM)
Young The Giant on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, 1:35 AM)

Friday
Beach House on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 PM)
Tenacious D on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, 11:35 PM)
Garbage on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 12:35 PM)
Jay Rock on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, 1:35 AM)

There’s a lot of staring that goes on at a Spiritualized show. By that I mean that J. Spaceman performs facing stage-right, seemingly staring off into… well, space. Meanwhile, the common format of their music building from a slow groove to entrancing crescendo leads to fans being glued in to the players before them.

Spiritualized have been less active in the 2000′s as they were in the 90′s, and Sweet Heart Sweet Light is their first album in four years. However, they sounded tight like a band that lives on the road. Stealing the show was Doggen, a talented guitarist whose wah-wah soloing highlighted nearly every song, particularly new tune “I Am What I Am””and the encore of “Cop Shoot Cop”. Still, this was J. Spaceman’s show, and he proved with performances of several new tracks that he still has plenty to offer. Show opener, “Hey Jane”, a nearly nine minute jam, may have been the best example of this, with multiple parts like several songs in one, all of which were engaging enough that one doesn’t even realize how long it’s been going on until it was over.

With Spiritualized it’s tough to tell what comes next, or who the band will even consist of, considering their lineup seems to change every time they get to work. It’s up to J. Spaceman so who knows, but the band he has right now certainly fits the bill. For the first time in a long time, he may want to think about some consistency.

Setlist
1.  Hey Jane
2.  Lord Let It Rain On Me
3.  Headin’ for the Top Now
4.  She Kissed Me (It Felt Like A Hit)
5.  Lay Back In The Sun
6.  Oh Baby
7.  Rated X
8.  I Am What I Am
9.  Born Never Asked
10. Electric Mainline
11. Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
12. Mary
13. Stay With Me
14. So Long You Pretty Thing
15. Come Together
Encore
16. Cop Shoot Cop

The show, along with the band’s performance at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, August 14, is part of their “Wrecking Ball” world tour. Springsteen and the E Street Band made history on September 6, 2003 when they headlined the first ever rock concert at Fenway Park as part of their tour in support of 2002′s The Rising.

Springsteen continues to tour in support of his brand new album, Wrecking Ball. Released last month, Springsteen’s 17th studio effort and follow-up to 2009′s Working on a Dream, debuted at #1 in 16 different countries. It marked his tenth #1 album in the United States, tying him with Elvis Presley for third-most #1 albums of all-time. Wrecking Ball, which was produced by Ron Aniello with Springsteen and executive producer Jon Landau, features lead single “We Take Care of Our Own”. The album also features a special guest appearance from Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave.

The ongoing tour, which stopped in Boston earlier this year for night at the TD Garden, is Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first since the death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who passed away in June 2011. The current E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan (piano, synthesizer), Nils Lofgren (guitar, vocals), Patti Scialfa (guitar, vocals), Garry Tallent (bass guitar), Stevie Van Zandt (guitar, vocals) and Max Weinberg (drums) with Soozie Tyrell (violin, guitar, vocals) and Charlie Giordano (keyboards).

Our Best Picks

Dom at the Brighton Music Hall on Friday: The Worcester party rockers hit the big city with Filligar and The Needy Vision on in support. Join the party for $16.

Erik Brown “Eddie Bones of Skitzofreniks” Memorial Fundraiser at the Middle East Downstairs on Friday: The Boston hip-hop community comes together to honor Eddie Bones of Skitzofreniks, who passed away in February. The show will feature Checkmark of Skitzofreniks, Slaine, Reks, Akrobatik, 7L & Esoteric, N.B.S., Jaysaun, Alias of OVM, Gee-Spin and Blak Madeen. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds will go to the family Erik Brown.

The Nields at Club Passim on Sunday: Sisters Nerissa and Katryna Nields celebrate the release their 16th album, The Full Catastrophe, with a pair of shows at Club Passim. Check out the family show at 3:30 for $12 or the adult show at 7 for $20.

Our Music Picks

Friday

Neon Indian at the Paradise Rock Club: Touring behind Era Extrañ, their highest charting album thus far, catch Neon Indian with Lemonade and Silent Diane for $20.

The Cranberries at the House of Blues: These 90′s Irish rockers are experiencing a bit of a revival, with a new album out and now a sold out gig here in Boston. Welcome back! Vintage Trouble will open the show.

Lynch Mob at Showcase Live: Dokken guitarist George Lynch leads Lynch Mob back to Massachusetts. The band is reportedly working on a new album, so expect a couple new songs to hit the setlist. Tickets are $20.

Tall Heights & Connor Garvey at Club Passim: The stellar Boston folk-rock duo and funky folk-rocker from Maine join forces in Harvard Square. Tickets are $15.

California Transit Authority at the Center for the Arts in Natick: Led by Chicago drummer and founding member Danny Seraphine, CTA will deliver a set of early Chicago classics, originals and other rock standards. Tickets are $35.

Walter Trout and the Radicals at the Bull Run Restaurant: The veteran blues rocker is back on the road to promote his brand new album, Blues For The Modern Daze. Tickets for this show are sold out.

Flogging Molly at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel: The veteran Irish punk rockers have spent much of the year on the road as they continue to promote 2011′s Speed of Darkness. See them in Providence for $28 or $32.50. The Devil Makes Three and Brothers of Brazil will open the show.

Florence & The Machine at the Mohegan Sun Arena: They’ll be back with a show at the Comcast Center in September but can you really wait that long? See them in Connecticut for $49.50. Blood Orange will open the show.

Saturday

Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeroes at the Orpheum Theatre: After catching on with “Home”, Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeroes look to impress with material off their upcoming sophomore release for $29.50 to $39.50. Fool’s Gold opens.

The Feelies at teh Paradise Rock Club: The New Jersey rockers have been on and off for decades, but it’s on again this Saturday as they hit town behind new album, Here Before. Tickets are $20.

Active Child, Balam Acab at the Brighton Music Hall: Two buzzing artists bring their show to Allston Rock City. Superhumanoids round out the bill. Tickets are $12.

We Are Serenades at TT the Bear’s Place: Consisting of members of Shout Out Louds and Laasko, We Are Serenades will be showing off their impressive harmonies for $12. Local standouts Art Decade will open the show.

Mark Sultan at PA’s Lounge: A long-time fixture in the garage rock scene, Sultan just released a new live album, The War On Rock’n'Roll. See the real thing for $10. Girlfriends, Banditas, The New Highway Hymnal and The BF’s round out this impressive bill.

Rusted Root at the Bull Run Restaurant: The Bull Run has been pulling in some solid acts in the past few weeks, and this may be the best so far with Rusted Root selling out this Shirley establishment.

Sunday

The Go-Go’s at the Wilbur Theatre: Get the beat from the 80′s gals for $39.50 to $49.50.

Mark Lanegan Band at the Paradise Rock Club: The Screaming Trees frontman hits Boston in support of his latest solo release, Blues Funeral. Tickets for the show, which will also feature openers Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss, are $20.

Never Shout Never at the Brighton Music Hall: Their new album has yet to be released but this Missouri band has made enough buzz to sell out BMH. Bearcat, Kurt Travis, and Koji are all in as well.

The Alan Evans Trio at TT the Bear’s Place: The Soulive drummer brings his side project to Cambridge. Tickets are $12 and be sure to arrive in time for the opening set from local favorites Project Blue Book.

The Beach Boys at the Mohegan Sun Arena: The American icons are finally reunited. Surfs up, so head down to Connecticut and for their second of two shows. A limited amount of tickets remain for $55 and $75.

The baseball and sports-themed concert will open with “The Star-Spangled Banner” before New England Patriots great Andre Tippett narrates “Freddie the Football,” a tale of pigskin beleaguered by its oval shape. The Boston Pops will also present John Williams’s “Olympic Spirit” with a video celebrating female Olympic athletes. Josh Kantor, Fenway Park’s organist since 2003, will perform during the show’s intermission. The second half of the show will be a full tribute to the Red Sox, beginning with the John Williams composition “Fanfare for Fenway” and continuing with baseball-themed songs and appearances from members of the Boston Red Sox.

Symphony Hall will take on the appearance of a ballpark with food vendors in baseball caps hawking Fenway-style popcorn, snacks from hot dog stands and more.

The band had been scheduled to perform at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on May 17 and at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on May 18. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.

“The band apologizes for any inconvenience as a result of these cancelations and thanks their fans for their ongoing support,” read a statement on the Blink-182′s website.

Apocalyptic Love, the follow-up to 2010′s Slash, will be released on May 22. Slash, who wrote all the songs on the album together with Kennedy, once again teamed up with producer Eric Valentine. The Conspirators are Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass).

“Well having Myles sing on the first record inspired me to take him on the road, then taking him on the road inspired me to have him sing on the whole record,” explained Slash in a press release. “So yeah the tour last year definitely inspired the decision for him to sing on the new record. He has a really broad range. He is just very musical as far as his melodic style is concerned and he’s also very lyrical and just a really powerful singer. There’s a lot of positives about the way he sings.”

Apocalyptic Love‘s lead single is “You’re A Lie”. Check out the band’s recent performance of the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live below.

“We worked on it at soundcheck somewhere, I can’t remember where,” said Slash of the single in a press release. “It’s gone through some minor changes along the way, mainly the chorus. But for the most part, it’s remained true to its original arrangement. I can’t wait to play this live.”