Steve Conte — Live at Café Nine — New Haven, CT — February 6, 2026
“Yeah Yeah We Like It” became the theme of the night as a packed Café Nine crowd locked in with Steve Conte’s straight-ahead, no-nonsense rock set.
Steve Conte has long been one of New York City’s most dependable rock ’n’ roll players. Known for his work with the New York Dolls and as guitarist for Michael Monroe, Conte has built a career around tight songwriting, strong hooks, and live performances that lean into the roots of glam, punk, and classic downtown NYC rock. His stop at Café Nine in New Haven on Friday night was a perfect setting for that style.
Café Nine is a small, intimate bar with a compact stage that puts the band right on top of the audience. By the time Conte took the stage, the room was filled wall-to-wall, creating the kind of environment where every song feels close and personal — exactly the type of venue where Conte’s music connects best.
The night opened with sets from Palmyra Delran and The Zambonis, both delivering fun, upbeat performances that set the tone for a strong night of guitar-driven rock before Conte and his band took over.
Conte kicked off his set with the energetic cover “Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight,” immediately pulling the crowd in with its raw, barroom rock feel. He quickly followed with originals like “Those Sexy Lies” and “Fourth of July,” showcasing his ability to blend classic glam and punk influences with catchy, straightforward songwriting.
Songs like “Piece of Mind,” “Liar Like You,” and “Hey Hey Hey (Aren’t You The One)” kept the set moving with steady momentum. Conte’s vocals carried a gritty but melodic tone, while his guitar work balanced sharp rhythm playing with tasteful leads that never felt overdone. “The Truth Ain’t Pretty” and “Shoot Out the Stars” continued to highlight his strong catalog of solo material.
The middle portion of the show stayed consistent with crowd-pleasers like “Overnight Smash,” “Strumpet-Hearted Monkey Girl,” and “All Tied Up,” each leaning into Conte’s street-level storytelling style that reflects his decades working inside the New York rock scene.One of the standout moments of the night came during “We Like It,” which turned into a full crowd sing-along. The repeated chant of “Yeah Yeah We Like It” had the entire room participating, creating one of the most memorable moments of the set and easily my personal favorite song of the night.
Conte followed with “Recovery Doll” and a strong version of “Heart of the City,” originally by Rockville, before moving into “Gypsy Cab.” “Ballad of the Lower East Side,” a song Conte wrote for Michael Monroe, added a personal touch and highlighted his long creative partnership with Monroe.
The energy stayed high late into the set with “Gimme Gimme Rockaway” before Conte closed things out with a fun medley of Bo Diddley’s “Pills” mixed with “Do You Wanna Dance” performed with a Ramones-style edge, sending the crowd out on a high note.
Because Conte spends much of his time touring and performing with other projects, especially with Michael Monroe, it’s always a bonus to catch him performing his solo material. Songs pulled from albums like The Concrete Jungle, Bronx Cheer, and others show the full range of his songwriting and reinforce his place as a long-standing figure in New York’s rock community.
Friday night at Café Nine delivered exactly what fans came for — a packed room, strong songs, and a performer who clearly still enjoys every minute on stage. It was a reminder that straightforward, guitar-driven rock performed in the right venue still connects just as well as it ever has.
