Just got back.  Awesome atmosphere at that show - I never thought I'd see the Hip again in such a small, intimate venue - and such a beautiful spot to have a gig, with the lake right behind the stage.  I
haven't seen the band smile so much since ARA in WPG around '92 (shit, was it that long ago at WPG Stadium?)  Unlike the State Theatre gig 09/22/98 the security was tight and it helped - even though I'm from Canada I didn't come to the gig to see the flag 2" in front of my face all night - I came to see the Hip. If I want to see the CDN flag I have 2 of my own, thank you (courtesy of Sheila Copps ;)).  At least one tape was made (Hi Todd!), although I'm not sure what the quality
will be as there were ppl standing in front of it (front row seats with the mic taped to the railing but there were ppl in front a lot - no screamers tho.)  Didn't hear any new material that I can remember,
but Downie did a lot more ad libbing than I've heard in a while - pretty much recent catalog with the exception of NOIS and Wheat Kings
... GOOD ONE!
--
Gary McLaughlin
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Whew.......returned a bit ago from the Zoo in Apple Valley where the Hip played tonight.  I'm fortunate in that I live only about 5 miles away. Sure alot easier than the treks I've made to Toledo and Dallas.  But like the beautiful Toledo Zoo venue, this Zoo was a wonderful, intimate forum
for the gig.  Although rain threatened and even spit-abit, it stayed rain-free and cool.  The seating was a nice steep bowl so there wasn't a bad seat in the house.  Abit too steep for crowd surfing even!  I estimate it was about 2000 seats.  Possibly a little less.

The warm-up band was from the Twin Cities and played original stuff.  The songs were ok but the Bass was wayyyyyyyy too up in the mix.  It muddied everything else.  The bands name escapes me at the moment.

The Hip hit the stage right about 9pm.  Setlist follows.  I took my girlfriend for her first dose of the Hip.  Chris and his wife Lynee from Grand Forks drove down and sat with us.  Chris has been my branch for several trees.  We met prior to the gig and then headed over.  I think Chris got some pictures--I look forward to seeing them.  It was nice meeting yet more nice Hip fans!

Gordie was wearing a tie tonight.  It was a wonderful gig where they played many of my favorites and with good sound and nice versions.  There was only one 3-song encore (but what a good encore).  I think city ordinances forbid playing any later than the 10:15 finish.

There was a whole bunch of crowd sing-a-long tonight which actually helped my girlfriend understand the words.  I didn't join in too much (ok, a little) but it was fun to hear.  Gordie changed some of his phrasing so the crowd didn't hang with him.  On occasion, I've noticed the band race
through a song at a much faster pace.  Tonight, all the songs seemed to paced similarly to the album versions.  I liked (as usual) all of the band members contributions tonight.  I always get a kick out of watching drummer Johnnie Fay.

I hope somebody got a good tape of the show.  I look forward to hearing it again if possible.

Grace, Too
Fully Completely
Fireworks
Giftshop
Springtime in Vienna
Poets
Courage
Vapor Trails
Ahead by a Century
Bobcaygeon
Nautical Disaster
Escape is at Hand for the Travellin' Man
(Jamming lead-in to:)
Fire in the Hole

Encore:
Chagrin Falls  ("this song's called "Common Cold") (Born Free at end)
Wheat Kings
New Orleans Is Sinking   (rant included flying above a Hurricane, Painting inside of house white, Anesthesiologist lady)

It was over and the lights came up.  I danced my ass off.  I had a great time.
I'm so lucky that the Twin Cities got one of their few gigs this summer!!!!

Bruce in Mendota Heights


Heya Gang!
Just recovering from my sonic hangover a.k.a.
      Northwest Airlines
   MUSIC IN THE ZOO
 THE TRAGICALLY HIP

As re:'d in Gary's note...
Awesome atmosphere!!!
As a consolation to Rory and the rest of those who had to miss the show -
1) You didn't miss any songs that weren't already played at the State or Winterpeg Arena shows.
2) There was only one encore before they QUICKLY brought up the house lights -- We didn't even have a chance to begin cheering for a second (A note to Hip mgmt - If you should happen to read this - you owe use one!)
3) Yes an MD recording was made - I have not been able to give it a full listen but from the little I heard it sounded good, with a bit of chatter in front of the mic - hadn't heard the spot where this guy smoking weed elbowed it twice. Details on that later this week.

As far as the show...
     Gord could not have been more on his game that beautiful Friday evening (the beauty of the evening was highlighted even more by the act we saw a small arc of a rainbow during the Cultivators - If you haven't checked out there web site DO SO! Great sight for pretty darn good band.) Gord came out ranting right away... Talking about the sounds of the zoo
"and as a Siberian Tiger I once knew told me..."
and then carrying on into well past the opening notes of Grace, Too ("I'm Tragically Hip"). His rants and train of thought was so good at one point (Fireworks) He seemed to surpass the parts that Gord S. and Paul L. were doing making it all seem a bit off time/tune - even though the back-ups were in the place they should have been. All I can think of is that Gord had mentioned something about the gloriousness of a gospel choir. He must have went that route - but the two stayed firm.

Oh... I did grab a set list (the one that Rob had by his effect pedals)... Anyone else with a setlist from the State Theater show, I'll let you know - they're still using the same black cloth tape used for the lists last Sept.

Grace, Fully, Fireworks, Gift, Spring, Poets, Courage, Vapour, ABAC, BobC, Nautical, Escape, Fire <break> Chagrin, Wheat, NewO.

13 song set, three encore.
I was kinda bummed - No 100th Meridian and no 50 Mission (Won the STARS the cup)

The seats we had were listed a third row - but in fact were like a front row. The only way I think I'll ever see the band closer is to A:) Be closer than the 5th table at a club date late,late in their career. or B) Be invited to a band studio rehearsal.
The seats were raised above the beer buying public (note: not as obtrusive as the Arena crowd) And being to the right of the stage -- It as like an intimate study of the playing of Rob Baker - his guitar crisp from the P.A. with a solid foundation of bass, drums and vocals, Paul L. a bit buried in the mix.
Johnny Fay *IS* by no doubt not only the HARDEST HITTING drummer on the road these days but is prolly having the most fun. By Fireworks he had lost the hat he was wearing but never failed to lose his grim/smile/smirk an enthusiasm.

There's prolly another thousand things I can say about the show... but I've carried on enough as it is.

Cheers to all the great Hip Fans I had the chance to yak with at the show.

T.McD.