Concert was great! I have seen the Hip a number of times over the years, and the only other concert that was better than this one was New Years Eve 1999 at the ACC. One of the cool things that happened was their first song for an encore was "Lake Fever". I love the song, and don't get to hear it that much in their live sets, so it was great to see happen... They did pretty much EVERY awsome live song they do in their 2 hour set. I was expecting for them to do a LOT of stuff from IVL, but I think I counted only 3 songs from the album... Another weird thing too; Gord played the acoustic guitar in almost ALL the songs during the set. That is different from when I've seen them in the past. Anyway, that is my view of Bayfest... Iv'e been standing up for about 8 hours straight now, so pardon me as I fall into sweet unconsiousness...
--
zero4ever25

 

                                                       Sarnia Bayfest gets Hip

                                                       Frontman Gord Downie's frequent smiles and gestures
                                                       made a packed park feel as intimate as a livingroom.

                                                          By LAURA CUDWORTH -- London Free Press

                                                       TRAGICALLY HIP
                                                       Centennial Park, Sarnia
                                                       Friday, July 12, 2002
 

                                                          SARNIA, Ont. -- The Tragically Hip played to at least 20,000
                                                       frenzied fans at Bayfest 2002 at Centennial Park in Sarnia last
                                                       night.

                                                       The crowd was restless waiting for them during the opening
                                                       performance by the Watchmen, but the veteran rockers from
                                                       Kingston whipped fans into a partying mood from the moment
                                                       they hit the stage about 10:30 p.m.

                                                       Audience member Jo Sulston has watched Tragically Hip cover
                                                       bands perform for three years. Last night was her first time
                                                       seeing the real thing.

                                                       "They play the coolest music in all of Canada," she said.

                                                       And she may be right.

                                                       Why else would thousands pack into a park, jammed against
                                                       fences until their skin poked through the links? Why would the
                                                       show sell out in just two days?

                                                       Two bars of New Orleans is Sinking and the crowd went crazy.
                                                       The audience sang loud enough to drown out Canadian rock icon
                                                       and frontman Gord Downie.

                                                       It's a song the Hip has performed thousands of times since 1987
                                                       at hundreds of venues, but it still sounds fresh and the band never
                                                       seems bored of it.

                                                       Last night, Downie stuck to the song and didn't weave in one of
                                                       his famous tales.

                                                       Katie Bryson and her friends made a sign out of linen to wave at
                                                       the band during the show.

                                                       "Bayfest tickets= $60, booze= $150, limo= $500. A night with
                                                       the Tragically Hip, priceless."

                                                       And it was a night with the Tragically Hip.

                                                       Downie's frequent smiles and gestures to the crowd make a
                                                       packed park feel as

                                                       intimate as a livingroom with just the right amount of friends
                                                       over.

                                                       As cheers came pouring out of a nearby portable toilet at the
                                                       completion of Courage, it was hard to ignore theintensity of the
                                                       atmosphere.

                                                       As always, the larger-than-life Downie moved to the beat of his
                                                       own making, his head bobbing and his flapping arms flying.

                                                       The Tragically Hip are the epitome of Canadian rock, with
                                                       interesting lyrics and a distinct sound.

                                                       The band released its latest album In Violet Light last month.

                                                       The Watchmen, from Winnipeg, opened for the Hip to cheers
                                                       of "hip, hip, hip," coming from the crowd.

                                                       But chants of "hip, hip, hip" were better than the sing-song
                                                       chants of "borrring" that were coming from the crowd before
                                                       they stepped onto the stage.

                                                       The Watchmen's catchy breakthrough hit Boneyard Tree got
                                                       the crowd's attention and even got them dancing, especially in
                                                       the drinking section, but it was short lived. The fickle crowd was
                                                       quick to go back to group chit-chat and distraction.

                                                       It's too bad.

                                                       The Watchmen put on a great show.

                                                       Frontman Danny Greaves kept his sunglasses on possibly to
                                                       shield his eyes from the inattentive crowd.

                                                       At times it was like they were playing in a near-empty stadium
                                                       and it took some of the life out of the band.

                                                       But Greaves's voice hung over the crowd much the same way he
                                                       seems to hang from the microphone.

                                                       Sometimes explosive and sometimes soft, almost melancholy,
                                                       his vocals never get tiring. Greaves also plays a mean harmonica.


What can I say! What a show. Gordie was on from the beginning.
IAGLIYDW is great live. Didn't write down the setlist but Im sure someone will post it. Too burned out right now to go in to full detail, maybe tommorrow. Cheers.
-Heath
Rory, it was fantastic. We got about 30 ft away for about half the show but there was so many assholes, my wife and friends wife had toÝ get out. I missed watching 100 Meridian and another one (can't remember now) but Gordie was on totally with the antics and "Gordisms". Amazing guy. God Id love a soundboard from that show one day.Sorry but like I mentioned earlier I can't do a review justice for ya but if you don't get one, Ill rip one off. Cheers.
-Heath

For those of you who can't remember what they played in Sarnia due to the vast amounts of booze (and there were many) here's the complete set list in it's correct running order.

Hit the stage around 10:30 PM and finished just after midnight.

01) Use It Up
02) Music @ Work
03) NOIS
04) Grace, Too
05) Are You Ready
06) Bobcaygeon
07) Courage
08) Fireworks
09) Weaken
10) Locked In The Trunk
11) The Darkest One
12) ABAC
13) Dire Wolf
14) 100th
15) Gift Shop
16) Silver Jet
17) Little Bones

Encore
18) Lake Fever
19) All Tore Up (Should be renamed as "All PISSED Up") for everyone at Bayfest
20) Blow At High Dough

Gord's vocals were low in the mix most of the night especially at the start of the show. Everywhere you went it was nothing but line after line. I have never seen so many long lineups for everything at Bayfest. I hope The Hip come back to Bayfest next year. But I also hope the drunken idiots who were there just to socialize or pick fights and had no intention of watching the show stay home or go to some other fuckin' place next year.

Despite all the bullshit of a select few I still managed to have a good time as did others. The drinks I had didn't hurt but I could see where too much booze in the wrong hands did ruin a good time that others were trying to have.
-STG


Hey Rory, just thought I would give a shot to a review of the Sarnia Show.
Ý
ÝÝÝ What a great day/night/show!Ý We arrived at Bayfest at around 3 but people had been lined up since about 11 that morning but they were all just sitting down near the gates so we just walked right up and were first in line.Ý About 4:30 we hear some guitar noise and a couple minutes later the boys come out and just start jamming to Use it Up, they followed with ABAC and Bobcaygeon.Ý While this was happening we managed to get some guy, a vendor I think, to snap a couple pictures of the boys.Ý Well it was actually some other guys camera but he is going to send us his pictures in exchange for copies of ours, how classic is that?Ý Anywho, they opened the doors at 6 and I ended up front row center fight against the fence.Ý We waited 3 hours until the Watchmen came out.Ý I hadnt seen the Watchmen since the New Years Day Concert and I was surprised by how good they are.Ý Even though playing to an unreceptive crowd they put on a great show.Ý The low point of the nite started between The Hip and Watchmen was when a few idiots decided it would be fun to push everyone and try to crush people.Ý i had to 3 or 4 girls out of the crowd and one of my friends faces got smashed into the fence and they had to be taken away.Ý Anyways, the Hip came on and opened up with Use it Up, right off the start they seemed to be having a great time, Gord messed up the lyrics a bit in the second verse and just kinda smirked at Paul who responed with a shrug of his shoulders.Ý Gord was in his fine form all nite and was wiggling and dancing all over the place.Ý Other great moments were Gord pretending to be driving in Locked, and Blow, riding his mic stand in Locked, in Grace Gord did the same move with the mic stand over and over as he made this ridiculous face, it was hilarious.Ý Also duringÝ100th Gord cameÝright to the front of the stage with his mic stand andÝpretended it was aÝoar and began paddling, it was great. Ý Gord S. really stood out to me tonite as he was really into.Ý I dont remember the order but I think I will give a shot at what was played.
Ý
UTH
Blow
Nois

RA
Little Bones

FC
Courage
100th
Locked
Ý
DFN
Grace
Ý
TATH
Gift
ABAC
Ý
M@W
M@W
Lake Fever
Ý
PP
Fireworks

IVL
Ý
RUReady
Use it Up
Darkest One
Good Life
Silver
All Tore Up
Ý
Anyways I need some sleep.Ý All in all the best hip show I've ever seen, the boys really seemed excited and having a good time up there.Ý If anyone has the setlist that would be great.Ý Cant wait to see them in TO in 3 weeks.
ÝÝÝ ÝÝÝ ÝÝÝ ÝÝÝ ÝÝÝ Clarke


This show was well worth my drive from Hamilton.Ý The band was right ON all night.Ý We got there early, and got a chance to listen to the sound check while soaking up the rays at the near by marina.Ý The day was totally worth it.Ý The Watchmen opened the show, i had never seen them before, they seemed to put on a solid performance.

I was only 15 feet away from the stage on the drinking side and never encounter any of the drunken idiots and no one picking fights around me,Ý the crowd was pretty mellow and just grooving to the Hip.Ý It was an overall great experience.Ý Well someone mentioned the lines were a problem, it couldnt be anymore than the truth.Ý There were lineups 2 get into lineups.Ý I had bought a few beer tickets as soon as i got in,Ý after waiting in the line for the first one, i had enough and the the remaining 2 to someone else.

it seems to me that Gord was developing a new song during 100th,Ý he spoke generally soft through it, but times you could make out some of it.Ý The new songs sound even better live than they do on the album.Ý Its a good Life was definately a tune that completely rocks live.ÝÝ Little Bones was right on too.ÝÝ well gotta go,ÝÝ fill u in more on my review later on.

Kris


Hello Rory:
Just got back from Bayfest. Incredible show, got up real close right in front of Rob Baker.
Gord was right on, lots of rants most of which I couldn't make out. I did hear him ask everyone down front to take care of each other a couple of times.
I'm curious, were you there because I'm sure Gord said before one of the songs 'this one's for Rory.' Has anyone else mentioned this? I was wondering if anyone has come forward with a setlist yet, I know it's early.
Looking forward to finding a boot. Didn't see any tapers there.
Ý
all tore up
cougar

Well the day had finally come.Ý I was definately stoked to see the Hip play Sarnia for the first time ... considering they haven't played here since their days at the Campbell St. Station which would be what? at least 12 years ago?

Anyway, like earlier stated the lines were extremely huge. $5 minutes just to get into the drinking side of the park...lines for the bathrooms, lines for beer tickets..lines for beer!!!! We didn't even bother.Ý We got into the park just as the Watchmen started their set.Ý I was looking forwar to their set and they didn't disappoint. A great performance.

As the for the main attraction, they were simply stellar!!!!!Ý They seemed to be right on, with the exception of Gord fumbling a bit on a verse of Bobcaygeon.Ý I thought the sound was great and the setlist was just as great.Ý It was nice to see a few of the songs disappear from their Evening With and M@W shows. The new songs were amazing live! IAGLIYDW was fantastic live as was The Dire Wolf and the Darkest One. Gord seemed very energerzied (even though some would disagree) and his moves were great as usual.

My highlight of the show was by far after only being show number 7 for me FINALLY!!!!!! hearing Locked in the Trunk of the Car live !!!!! I always seemed to just miss it, if they played it, it would be either the show before or after the one I would attend.Ý This also brings me into the bad part of the night. As I'm enjoying Locked for the first time what happens...I stupid ass trailor trash white guy all decked out in his FUBU gear crowd surfer comes right by me and my buddies, kicks one buddy in the head so he suddenly gets grabbed and thrown down on his head by a couple of guys. I'm too busy watching to see if there are gunna be any punches thrown and keep my girlfriend from getting hit by someone or whatever. There were none thank god, the guy realized what an ass he was so he took off.

If I had driven a great distance for this show i would have been pretty disappointed.Ý My group was about half way between the stage and the soundboard area on the drinking side.Ý There were a few very friendly people right beside us and literally right beside us because of the cramped quarters, who made the trip from Windsor who are big Hip fans and have travelled all over to see them were not having much fun and ended up leaving from where we were simply because of the drunken, derelect crowd. You can only take so many drunk bumbling idiots banging into you, stepping on your feet, spilling beer every 30 seconds for so long.Ý My girlfriend got an entire beer spilled over her by some drunk idiot.Ý Why is it that even when you are packed in as tight as you can get there are still people constatntly pushing and bangin trying to get closer and closer when there is obviously no way to get any closer.Ý It was just these sort of things that made the show a bit unenjoyable.Ý They sold about 5,000 too many tickets the set up was not the greatest.Ý Being from the area I totally expected this.Ý For some reason in this area a Hip concert seems to be a synonym for 'Get totally wasted and act like assholes'Ý Even waiting in line to get in,Ý there was a girl who had to leave the line up to go and puke because she couldn't stand up.Ý Friends co workers got off early on Friday at noon so they could start drinking and be wasted by the time the concert started...and they aren't even Hip fans...these are the people who just ruin it for everyone else.Ý For anyone who as ever been to a Pine Knob show abotu half the crow I would say is from the Sarnia/Windsor area and they are the majority who you see are the flag waving bumbling drunks.Ý Mind you I am definately not against having a few beers and ahving a great time at the concert but you should be able to have a good time without getting so wasted you act like a total ass.

WOW was that ever way too long.Ý Anyway all in all the band was great, with the exception a few the crowd was great and very supportive and responsive and hopefully teh Hip will be back in town (no more General Admission shows)for their winter tour to play the new Sports and Entertainment Centre.

BTW Any Tapers???????????? LMK!!!!
That's all,
Al


I pretty much had the same experience as everyone else at the show. Good concert, crappy venue. The people that I talked to that went to OLP warned us ahead of time so we headed over pretty early to avoid getting smushed. I foolishly decided to go for a beer part way through the Watchmen and came very close to getting in a fight in the beer line. Some jerk and his seven friends decided that they didn't need to stand in line and I took exception to that and we exchanged some words. I now know that you are allowed to jump the line because "I'm an asshole" and "We are just here for a good time". I will remember that for next time. Overall I enjoyed the show from where we were, I had a good view of the stage and one of the big screens, my girlfriend is to short and could only see the stage once in a while. I think that this might have been my last general admission Hip show.
Ý
On another note I guess I missed out on a golden opportunity. It turns out that the boys killed some time on Saturday afternoon cruising around on a boat from our marina. I'm told that they were on one of the docks about 30 feet from where I was sitting most of the afternoon and I didn't even see them. It would have been a good chance to sit down and have a beer with them and have a nice chat. Maybe next time.
Ý
John

I was just reading your site's reviews of the Hip show last weekend in Sarnia, and felt the need to add a *good* one.

I was on the "minors" side and it was fantastic. No-one was obnoxious, the crowd was actually mostly adults (very few teenagers), there was no pushing or shoving or getting drenched in beer. (The lineup was really fast too.) I wish I had the option to be in an unlicensed area for all their shows. It allowed me to enjoy what I came for, the always fantastic HIP!

They were amazing. I unfortunately couldn't see many of Gord's antics cause there were some real tall guys standing in front of me, but I could see the screens. Gord and the rest were smiling and goofing around and looked like they were having at least as much fun as we were. The new songs are fantastic live, and they played a good mix of old stuff too. (I was especially happy to hear Bobcaygeon, as I had lost my copy of Phantom Power the last time I moved and hadn't heard it in ages.)

It was definitely worth the drive from Burlington and the $50/ticket we paid the scalper that afternoon. Although we weren't in town in time to hear the soundcheck, we did catch an interview Rob did with the London radio station as we were driving down the 402.
--
Erin Doerffer
B.Eng Mechanical, Carleton University


hey rory: i have to say i'll never go see the hip in canada again after seeing what went on in sarnia. i have seen them in bars and clubs in the usa and i guess i have been really spoiled by that. here is more info for everyone that was at the concert. they were licenced for 18 to 20 thousand people one of the dj's from the sarnia station came out and said there was 28,000 in there. the stokely group that put bayfest together got really money hungry and released 5000 more tickets. the hip were not going to play that night cause in the contract they stated the beer tent would be closed during their show. of course stokely didn't close them. the hip said we are not going on then. the stokely called the head of police and he came back and stated if they never played they would be going to jail for inciting a riot. i can't beleive the way the stokely group treated the hip. i know for a fact the hip will never be back to sarnia. here is the website for bayfest and you can email the stokelys and tell them how much they suck. www.bayfest.com once they did hit the stage they were awesome. it just sucked it was me and 28,000 other people. instead of me and a couple hundred other people like i have got used to. in the previous years
-Judy M.

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