Just arrived back from the Milwaukee show.
First, I must say it has been a glorious 4 months of seeing the Hip in small bars all across the United States.  I relished the opportunity to see them as often as I could in such intimate atmospheres.  Now, it's time for them to go home and for all the Canadians out there who have been chomping at the bit, get ready because the boys have thoroughly warmed up down here in the States!
On with the bio
We arrived at 5 PM.  First ones there.  The owners of the theater were kind enough to let us in early because it was general admin and my wife just had foot surgery.  So, we got there early to check up with the owners and then grab a bite to eat.
Went to a little Mexican restaurant two doors down on the owners recommendation and low and behold, Paul and Johnny were just finishing dinner.  Waved, smiled and let them have some peace and quite.  They smiled and waved back and went about their business. 6 PM went back to theater and were let in. Beautiful place, or could be.  Old theater from the 20's or 30's.  Need quite a bit of paint and some structure work, but has massive potential. They removed seats A-L to create and open floor but there was no assigned seating. Asked the owners if we could sit on the balcony instead and they said no, not enough tickets sold. Grabbed a place near the soundboard, a few beers sat down and propped up my wife's foot.  (Better sight lines since she could not stand and we hoped better sound)
Pet Engine came on.  Unimpressed.  Relatively sloppy and unoriginal.  Local band and I wont waste more space here on them.
Wandered a bit before the Hip came on and met a few tapers.  Good to see. Then, lights down, sound up and bang, last show of 1998.
Set list in order  (Note 14 song original set list!)
Fireworks
Twist
Courage
Escape
ABAC
Lionized (Particularly good version)
Poets (With Gord singing "Bring out Your Dead" Monty Python style)
Bobcaygeon
Nautical Disaster
Luxury
Something On
Gift Shop
Emperor Penguin  (With a smattering of Jet)
100th Meridian  (Opened with Where the real Impeachment begins and had a
well fleshed out song in the middle I have not heard before.  Had riffs,
rhymes, themes, but nothing I could pin down to list)
E1
Chagrin Falls
On the Verge  (With Gord Singing White Christmas in the beginning and end)
E2
Vapor Trails
Little Bones

All in all an OK show.  Not the best I've seen.  Band had trouble following Gord's lead a lot and Gord's voice was giving out pretty bad near the end of the first set.  He may have had a cold.  Also, with the massive balcony area with no people there was an incredible echo that screwed the sound up in many places in the theater.  Oh, well.  Still, well worth the drive.  (What hip show is not?)

Talk soon!

Paul