On to the show...
Although I don't have the setlist memorized, there was a great variety
of old and new music. Starting with Music@work, the show built and
was high energy for the 2.5 hours they played. Particular highlights
for me were Opiated, Scared (Kate is a great addition on that one), Inevitability
of Death, and Tiger the Lion (not a big fan of that until I saw it live).
It never ceases
to amaze me how they can put such passion and energy in their shows.
Anyway, kudos to Rob Baker and Paul Langlois - I tried to pay attention
to them and was repeatedly impressed with their musicianship. Finally,
thanks to all the fellow Hip fans. There was such great energy, but
in a civilized way. Those of us up front appreciate it! This
was only my fourth show and I hope to see many more.
Joel
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Okay, I'll start with the setlists, mainly out of order:
Fort Collins I:
Music, grace, inch, courage, so hard, IOD, gift, abac, rules, escape,
tiger, down, nautical
Fort Collins I:
scared, train, opiated, newO, meridian, pigeon, DD, poets, bobc, fireworks,
fever, freak, TO #4, where
Fort Collins Encores:
Chagrin, bones
Two shows, 45 different songs. half of FC, most of DFN, PP and
M@W. Drastically different sets from one night to the next. Hilites
and suprises-Inch was played three songs in; it usually comes in an encore
if played at all. So hard was unreal; easily the best version I've
seen/heard of it. First wherewithal of the "evening with" tour, possibly
the M@W tour in general. getting boots AND Long time in set 2 in
denver was a real treat. Wasn't a suprise though; we were close enough
to the stage that we
just had to peak over the monitor to see what was to be played after
they laid down the list for set 2. I tried to resist, but I couldn't.
:)Honey was the best song from M@W, in my opinion. Drop-dead gorgeous sound
at both shows, particularly Fort Collins. The Aggie Theater is a
dump, but the acoustics are phenomenal. The Paramount theater in
Denver is a beautiful,
beautiful room. Very casual security at the denver show, and
no barrier between the stage and the first row of seats means folks resting
their drinks on the stage at the feet of the band....it was that kind of
night. TONS of great pics; I'll scan and post them within a week.
I can finally weigh in on the Chris'n'Kate debate (I know, I'm always the
last one in on these things...this is what happens when you live in Utah).
I enjoyed them immensely. Chris' contributions were brilliant and
often. In a room with
killer sound, you can pick up the keys just fine, and he adds tons
to the songs, particularly boots and long time, and of course gift.
Kate's stuff was okay in Fort Collins; it was dead-on in Denver.
She did a bang-up job on verse two of flamenco, and NOBODY looks better
slapping a tambourine around than her.
Saturday I brought a long-time Hip-hater with me to the show
because my wife was under the weather. He is now The World's Newest
Fan Of The Tragically Hip. He said it was the best show he'd ever
seen by anyone. It was also great to bump into friends met at Hip
shows out here over the last three years, as well as making new friends.
Both shows were DAT recorded; you folks will be very interested in getting
copies I'm sure. Long story short, The hip just continue to get better
and better each and every time.
brian mc