Hey everyone!

Sitting here at the airport on my way back to Halifax. What a great trip! Yesterday before the show, a whole bunch of us met outside the Place des Arts and headed to the Dublin Pub for some drinks and chow. To Matt and Dave Holmes, Matt, Bob and Fran, Jamie Innes and Serena, Dan (Silirat), the one and only Rob Bertrand, Oren Bick, Haley, Dave, and any others that I'm forgetting: I had the time of my life with y'all. It was an honour to meet such devoted Hip fans, and it was finally nice to put faces to names. I hope to see you all again very very soon! On to the show:

JET
NEWO
FULLY: Paul and Gord S were fully completely into this song, playing to each other across the stage
CHAGRIN: Johnny was on fire, pounding on his drums for this song. Gord threw in a bit of "Born Free" at the end.
BOBC
NAUTICAL: Gord hopped onto the monitor and stood there for a minute, singing the first couple verses
DARKEST: "Where are ya, baby? Where's the darkest one?" Johhny broke two sticks...
FIREWORKS: Robby completely went nuts playing this one. Gord S recognized some people in the loge above our third row seats, and signalled hello with a big smile.
SPRING: Gord S and Robby were all smiles to each other, joking back and forth
WEAKEN: ...then Robby wanders over to Johnny and shares a few laughs...
100TH
CANUCK: Gord loads up and shoots the crowd...
GIFT
WHEAT: "This is a song about capital punishment."
POETS: Gord sits on the edge of the stage and rant to a guy in the front row. He motions to the guy to come closer, then he stops him. Come closer.. then he stops him again, all the while a security guy is close nearby...
ALL TORE UP
BLOW

ENCORE:
USE
LONG TIME:While Gord and Robby wwere in the spotlight at the start of the song, I could see Gord S swinging back and forth, singing along to himself...
WHEREWITHAL: Very cool to hear this one live...

Well, my time here is up. THERE's a lot more to write about, as all of us met the band after the show. If anyone esle wants to write about it, great! I'll write my account of the post-show events when I get back to Halifax!

Cheers, all, and thanks for the amazing time!

Rory Young


Hey folks...

Back safe and sound in Halifax, and after checking countless e-mails, I'm now ready to transcribe what happened after the second show last night.
Most of us that went to the Dublin Pub before last night's show, ended up behind the PdA waiting by the buses for the boys to come out. After about an hour, Jake Gold came out with his lady and shook my hand and said hello, asked if I got a good recording, etc, then he took off in a car.
Another half hour goes by, and Gord S comes from around the corner, with his arm around his teenaged son, chatting with him. He sees all of us (about 12) waiting, and stops to chat for awhile. He gets to me first, and I tell him it's good to see him again. He asks me how my flight out of Winnipeg was, and I say good, how was yours? A bit more chit-chat, and he moves on to everyone else. He's in a great mood, and spends quite a bit of time with all of us, before heading back into the backstage area with his son.
While Gord S is signing stuff and chatting, Johnny Fay sneaks out the back door, and kinda stands near the group for a couple seconds totally unnoticed by me, until Fran gets my attention and motions towards him. Now, I've never ever met Johhny personally, as he's not usually one to greet at every show. So I head towards him, and say hello and get him to sign a couple things. Very very friendly, which is contrary to how he usually is, according to most of the folks that were waiting there last night. He chatted with us as well, signed everything, and returned inside.
Half hour passes, and Robby comes out with his daughter, and wife. Great looking family. Robby was in a great mood last night, and he chatted us up for a long long time. I asked him if they were nervous platying for the Queen, and his response went something like this: "Well, we were thinking: do we treat it as just another gig? There were many factors that had to do with the show, the TV aspect of it. Are we playing for the Queen, who doesn't know us? Are we playing for the people in the audience, who don't know us? Or are we playing for the TV audience, who mostly all know us? We were a little nervous at first, but then we figured, we play those two songs every f*ckin' night (Weaken and Poets). But it was cool. She came and met the five of us after the show. We always enjoy playing for foreign dignitaries."
That's not word for word, but that's the gist.
So he signs everything, and even Robby's wife signs a lady's program, and they are off to the bus. Robby's little daughter is a cutie! I think we can all vouch for that...
And then Gord Downie comes out, after another prolonged wait, two hours after we all first got back there. He comes out with Ricky, and it seems that he's feeling pretty good. He's all smiles, and very chatty and laughing a lot. Again, he signs everything, including Mark Slogget's video-camera bag : "Mark's Box o' Gigs - G. Downie" We all have a good laugh about playing for the Queen (how did her boxer shorts come into the conversation again??), and about recent shows, etc. He signed it all, had a couple pics taken, and he was gone.
And that was it.. we all waited for two hours, just the die-hard nutsos, and it was all worth it. We all shook hands, said our goodbyes to each other, and wished each other safe trips home....
And so ends my last Hip Trip of 2002...

Rory


Show #2 The crowd seemed to be much more into it. Perhaps more time to drink that day. Everyone was mellow ("No BS") and just having a good time. Robby was really jammin a lot at the show. At the end of the show Johnny Fay stood with both arms into the air. He was pumped!! Robby left the stage smiling but turned and waved to someone and then gave them the finger. He waved again and fingered again. Hmmmm, kind of curious but didn't bring it up in the end with his wife and daughter there. Although we certainly did not at all feel snubbed neither Gord S or Robby spent as much time hanging as usual, due to the fact, I am sure, that the families were there. We were very pleased that Rory asked about playing for the Queen. It was awesome to hear the reaction. Johnny Fay on the other hand didn't seem to book off as quickly as usually. He did have the hat pulled down and no one
seemed to know it was him. After pointing him out to Rory I heard Jamie say, "wow, that's Johnny Fay" also not having noticed him or hearing me tell Rory it was him. I said you better get right over there if you want his autograph, so he did. As Johnny was heading back in he said to all of us "Have a nice Thanksgiving" and then pointed to me and said "except you if yours is in November." (Bob and I had our Maine Jersey's on and Johnny obviously took notice that we were probably American!) Gord D was SO funny and in one of the best moods I have ever witnessed in after the show form. He had a snappy come back to everything anyone said. Bob asked him about playing for the Queen and his short answer was "It was a trip". Then the lady from NY is making little comments in the back ground about the Queen wears boxers, that she had peaked. Bob made a comment about the beetle bug at Somerville and Gord said he had forgotten about that, where I then put in "You always remember everything.... you said so on stage...Gord replied "It's an ideal". Lots of laughing going on. Can't remember who (Matt or Dave maybe?) had the photo of Gord's head laying on the stage right next to the setlist when the lights were out at Somerville. Gord asked/commented was he trying to read the setlist. It was all very cool and perhaps more entertaining to those of us who were overtired and had waited 2 hours for the event to take place!! WHY didn't we have our camera? Rick told us that Paul had already left with his family so we didn't see him.

Wondered what other moments we missed Rory? Anyone?

Peace,

Fran


I think most everything has been said about the shows and the long wait by the bus after #2.

just wanted to add that not only was johnny cheerful after the show but after seeing rory in the train station we went and sat in the lounge awaiting our train home and in comes johnny we say hey. than as were waiting to board he's actually talkative asking where were heading and if we had a good time. his seat was at the other end of the car but from what i could tell there were no incedents with the ladies on board. he got off in kingston patting me on the shoulder on his way by and wishing us a good holiday.

2 more left...Heres to the Hummingbird.

matt


Review: Saturday October 12th, 2002
Venue: Places Des Arts, Montreal Quebec
Set list:
1) Silver Jet
2) New Orleans is Sinking
3) Fully Completely
4) Chagrin Falls
5) Bobcaygeon
6) Nautical Disaster
7) Darkest One
8) Fireworks
9) Springtime in Vienna
10) Good Life
11) 100th Meridian
12) The Dark Canuck
13) Giftshop
14) Wheat Kings
15) Poets
16) All Tore Up
17) Blow at High Dough
18) Use It Up
19) Longtime Running
20) Wherewithal

Hey Hip Fans:

This experience in Montreal was by far the best HIP experience Iíve ever had in my life. My self and my girlfriend Serena left early Saturday morning around 5am with 2 friends who were tagging along for fun but werenít coming to the show with us. We stopped in Cornwall on the way and met up with Andre Cardinal whom I sold 3 extra tickets to the show. We chatted for a bit and agreed to get in touch around 4ish for the official henhouse get together around Place Des Arts. We arrived in Montreal around 11:30 and checked into the Travelodge hotel on Rene Levesque Street around the corner from Place Des Arts. We took the
afternoon to drive around and see the sights such as the Olympic Stadium and some old churches as well.

Serena and I headed back to the hotel around 2pm where we got ready for the show. We took a walk along Se Catherine street and on our way back to Places Des Arts we saw Rory who yelled out ìJamie Jamieî I then looked up and saw him sitting there on the look out for other henhousers. We chatted it up a bit and he let me listen to a little of the Friday show from the day before. It wasnít too long before a bunch of us were gathered around chatting it up. We then decided to stick to the plan and head over to The Dublin Pub for drinks, food and get to know one another with some story telling. I would have to say that Bob and Fran are the most die-hard concert people Iíve ever met. They must have a story for everything. I took a picture of everyone at the bar and will get it developed next week and post to the henhouse so everyone can see. Serena and I left the bar around 7ish to try and get a marker in case we met the band after the show for some autographs. We found a Shoppers Drug Mart along the way back to PDA, which would do the trick finely if I got the chance to meet and greet.

Serena and I headed over to the venue and waited anxiously outside for the doors to open. As soon as the doors opened we went up and looked at some of the merchandise. I ended up buying the replica Kings hip jersey and the tour photo book in hopes of getting it signed after the show.

SHOWTIME:
Sam Roberts was totally awesome!! He had the crowd standing for a few numbers and everyone seemed to love his energy. The Hip came on around 9ish. The light show was just outstanding during every song. I got almost a whole roll of pictures, which I canít wait to get developed. Serena committed which I would call a criminal offense by going to the bathroom just as 100th Meridian came on. She could feel the toilet trembling beneath her as the music blared right to the bathroom stalls. The show ended with one surprise for me, ìThe Wherewithalî as I had never heard it live before.

After the show, we went around back where the buses were and met up with the henhousers waiting for the Hip to show. Gord S was first to come out after about an hour of waiting. He saw all of us lingering around and signed some autographs for all of us.Ý Johnny Fay somehow snuck out without anyone noticing and Fran quickly pointed him out standing off to the side with a toque pulled down over this forehead. She told me I had better get over their quickly if I wanted an autograph and I did. Robby Bakker came out about a half hour later with his wife and daughter. He was in a great mood and was willing to hang around for a while to chat and sign some photos. Rory asked him about playing for the Queen and we all got a chuckle of out his response. You can read Roryís review for a better synopsis of what he said. He then headed to the bus while we waited for Langlois and Downie to come out. Gord D came out with his backpack on and Boston hat and he looked like he was about to fall over he was so tired. He was friendly and chit chatty nonetheless and we all got to get some autographs of our own personal things. He asked everyone their name as he signed things. He is a true Canadian icon and it really showed that he cares about his fans and is willing to make us happy with his presence. He signed my ìTheatrical Extravaganzaî book ìHey Jamie, ROCK ONÖG Downieî Serena then said,
hey, you should get a picture. After he signed a couple more things, I said, ìHey Gord, can you take a picture?î I then quickly changed my phrase and saidî Not take a picture, but be in one with me.î Everyone got a chuckle out of that. You could say I was the happiest guy in the world after Serena took the picture of the 2 of us. After we all get our wishes and our things signed, Gord D. took off to the bus. We never got the chance to get Langloisí autograph as we thought he made a quick exit to the bus or home. All the henhousers said their goodbyes at the buses and we parted ways.

Serena and I headed back to our hotel room and were up bright and early for breakfast and headed home around 10am back to OakvilleÖjust west of Toronto.

The trip to Montreal for thehip show was well worth the 550km 6-hour drive. We met loads and loads of great people. It was so awesome to finally put faces to people. I will never forget this journey and wouldnít think twice about doing it again.

Next week itís back to Toronto for 2 shows at the Hummingbird CentreÖwhich will most likely be my last show of the tour.Ý Take Care everyone and I will post my pictures when I get the developed.

Jamie Innes
Thehip_11@hotmaill.com
Serena Filler
Serena_filler@hotmail.com


Well, by far, this was the closest I've ever been for a hip show... front row, center.... and probably made for one of the greatest hip experiences I've had. I'm still probably too excited about it, so hope nobody minds me throwing my 2 cents worth in about the songs, although I think Rory pretty much covered it. Prior to this show, my girlfriend was a hip fan, but not as devoted as myself and the rest of the henhousers. Well, after this show, as she puts it, "I'm hooked"... "I understand your obsession"... ha. We were right in front of gord d., so we could hear and see all of his little rants. I wish I could remember every rant, and what song they were in, but its all a little blurry still. Anyways, heres my take on it, and some little details i recall...

JET: Almost right from off the start, Gord points the gun at Paul, and keeps looking at the crowd, then at Paul. Paul givesÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ him a weird look as if to say 'what are ya doing??!!!'...Gord gives a goofy 'sorry'...
NEWO: Pretty straight forward version.
FULLY: Great version!!! I think this is where the guys really started to get into the show.
CHAGRIN: As Rory said, Johnny was on fire for this one... had the look of pain in his face...also a rant that i don't quite remember.
BOBC... Classic Gord. I laughed my ass off!! There were these guys about 5 rows back that had a sign saying "We just got robbed, please play Fireworks and Bobcaygeon". So as an intro Gord looks out and says "It appears that these guys up here got robbed today, so I guess this ones for them...Bobcaygeon..." then as he turns back, he says under his breath (but into the mic) "BUT, you probably had it coming"...too funny.
NAUTICAL: Some monitor walking.
DARKEST:
FIREWORKS:
SPRING: "This one is Springtime in Vienna... How appropriate for this time of year"
WEAKEN:
100TH: "Life is forgetting (repeated over and over), then it changed the last time to "Or is life for (distinct pause) getting"
CANUCK: As Rory said, lots of shooting to the crowd...
GIFT
WHEAT: "This is a song about capital punishment."
POETS: The guy sitting next to me had a banana shaker, so Gord was sitting at the edge of the stage motioning for him to come over, then to stay put, then to come over... the guy thought gord wanted the shaker, so as he goes to hand it to him, gord motions to him that he doesn't want it, but to shake it with 'this rythym'...
ALL TORE UP
BLOW...Ý a lot more walking on the monitors...

After the show, ended up getting a couple guitar picks, and traded one of them for a drum stick... so even ended up with a couple souvenirs.

ENCORE:
USE
LONG TIME: Absolutely LOVE this one live... just the way Gord is telling it to you... it was amazing.
WHEREWITHAL: Unexpected... really good live one.

Anyways, sorry about the lengthly post... I'm still way too excited...it was a great venue, great show, and fabulous seats... I was 'all smiles' the entire show. Just wish I would have met up with the henhousers before the show... I tried finding the Dublin bar... but couldn't find it. Was it on St. Cathrines?

Tyler


Go back to reviews page