Tragically Hip a hit at Horseshoe

Surprise gig raises cash for good cause

By KIERAN GRANT
Toronto Sun
ÝThe most popular band in Canada played a rare and intimate show at the Horseshoe Tavern last
night.ÝThe Tragically Hip delighted a crowd of about 350 fans on the first of two surprise benefit gigs
at the downtown club.ÝThe shows were announced early yesterday and were sold out before 11 a.m. The second show takes
place tonight.ÝAll proceeds go to Camp Trillium, an Ontario recreation and support centre for children with
cancer.
Ý"Thanks for supporting Camp Trillium," Tragically Hip frontman Gordon Downie drawled as his band
took the stage and broke into the new song Giftshop.Ý"You're all wonderful human beings."
ÝThe feeling was mutual on the part of the audience, who bobbed through a sneak preview of tunes
from The Hip's spanking brand new disc, Trouble At The Henhouse, which hits record stores next
week.
ÝIt was the band's first live appearance since October of last year, and the relaxed atmosphere
was a good way for them to get reacquainted with a live setting. <Picture: Live Pass>
ÝThe Hip were slightly rusty as a unit, but the quality of the songs and Downie's commanding
quirkiness dazzled.ÝThe group have grown better -- and weirder -- with each album. Henhouse songs like 700 Ft.
Ceiling, Apartment Song, Flamenco, Springtime In Vienna, Let's Stay Engaged and Put It Off
displayed a new attention to hooks with the same moodiness of the band's last album, Day For
Night.
ÝDownie remained tied to an acoustic guitar for much of the set. He cut loose into his trademark,
improvisational patter for hits like Grace, Too, Nautical Disaster and 100th Meridian, which set
the audience moshing.
ÝDownie joked with the crowd and occasionally sighted bandmates Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair, Paul
Langlois and Johnny Fay down the barrel of an imaginary rifle.
Ý"Hey look, it's Gandhi," Downie deadpanned at one point as the audience passed around a
crowd-surfer.
Ý"Don't hurt the Mahatma, he's a pacifist," he called as the quick-moving stage security carted
off the offending mosher.
ÝIt was a typically entertaining moment in an up-close-and-personal set with the band. It was
also a reminder of how The Hip are almost as good when they play larger, less personal venues.
ÝThe band rounded off the intense 16-song set with a new encore, Sherpa.
ÝUsed to selling out venues like Maple Leaf Gardens, it has been years since The Hip could play
small gigs in Canada that are open to the public.
ÝFan response to the shows was overwhelming. Tickets went on sale hours earlier than planned
yesterday when organizers realized the lineup outside the Horseshoe contained more people than
both shows could accomodate.
ÝSpecial photo I.D. passes were issued to ticket holders to discourage scalping.