I was also at the Columbia show and wanted to add my insights about the
gig.  My wife and I stood at the front of the stage for an hour before
the show started, by ourselves, to get a good spot.  In talking with Dave
Powell before the show he indicated that the Hip were really ready to be
getting home and were counting down the hours.  Also, Gordie had told the
club to turn off the air conditioning because he did not want it blowing
on him.  Thus it got really hot in the club, especially in front and
onstage.  Perhaps the desire to go home to Canada, the estreme heat, and
the intimacy of the club contributed to the lack of enthusiasm displayed
by the Hip.  I did however feel that the music was very good.  This was
the fourth time we have seen them this tour, and they have gotten a lot
tighter onstage since the tour began back in the late spring.