Chagrin Falls
Long Time Running
The Wherewithal

The Dire Wolf
Three Pistols

-TLB

1000AM
Got to the Royal Theatre box office nice and early because I had heard they sold some tickets the night before between 730-800pm, so I wanted to see if there were any left. I was able to score a front row seat on the right side for face value. Sweet!Ý Killed off the next few hours wandering around downtown Victoria.

300PM
Hung out at the side doors again, and the whole band filed past me when they arrived. Johnny, Robby, Gord D, Gord S, and last Paul, who seemed to recognize me from the day before and gave me a big smile. They had their hands full of bags and stuff, like they went shopping, so I just wished them a good day and let them on their way. The sound check included The Wherewithal, Bobcaygeon, and 700 Foot Ceiling. I didnít see Jake all day, so I just rocked on with some other Hip fans out front until the doors opened. The Q was on location with their speakers blasting their live feed. Gord S was being interviewed and they played about six old Hip songs in row with clips of him talking in between.

730PM
Sam Roberts came out with another solid opening set and played a couple of different songs from the night before. He played a song called ìTaj Majalî I think, and he introduced it as an East Indian love ballad. The crowd was way more into it and Sam really enjoyed that. What can I say about the Hipís second show but ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! So much energy as usual from all
five boys and definitely one of my personal Top 5 Hip shows out of the fourteen Iíve now seen. The setlist was awesome, what a mix of songs, and a double encore! The Darkest One, Nautical Disaster, Inevitability Of Death, A Beautiful Thing, Wheat Kings, Fifty Mission Cap, Chagrin Falls, Long Time Running, The Wherewithal!! And THREE PISTOLS!!! All songs I never ever expected!Ý I was simply blown away by the whole night. I was up in row 1 but it seemed like the fans were rabid that night, a lot more energy than the night before, and when I looked behind me everyone was standing up! During Wheat Kings, some guy ran down the aisle from the back of the orchestra seating and in one fluid motion jumped from the seating area up on stage and jumped up and down, dancing like a caveman would. Gord D immediately stepped back a few steps and had this look on his face like ìwhat the fuck are you doing you idiot!î Gord S saw this and immediately started laughing. Robby kind of smiled too. Billy Ray came out and restrained him, then pushed him off the front of the stage to three waiting security guards who escorted him out of the show.

1030PM
Went out back to see the boys again and they had the whole side doors area blocked off. The roadies started dismantling the stage setup almost immediately after the show and were loading two semi trailers with gear for the next 60-90 minutes. There were about 25 people waiting but some decided it was too long and left. Eventually we wandered to the same area as the night before and waited another 30 minutes or so for the boys. There was a lady from CBC Radio One doing interviews with fans, about why they were there and why they were fans, etc. etc. Now the crowd was about 20 people, and the guy who jumped on stage made his
way back there too and was loud the whole time. He got a few good laughs from people but really put his foot in his mouth a bunch of times. He was a loudmouth, and he knew it. All the boys except for Johnny came out to sign autographs. A guy named
Morgan asked Gord D about a show they did a long time ago in Muskoga Ontario (I probably spelled that wrong). Gord said he remembered the show and Morgan wondered if they would ever play there again. Gord said he didnít think they would and said he thinks heís developed ìMuskoganosis.î All the fans had a good laugh at that with Gord. Since I had Bobby and Gord Dís autographs already, I made a beeline to Paul and Gord S. Paul remembered me immediately and asked if I enjoyed the show, and he was happy to sign my jersey. Next I shook Gord Sís hand and asked him to sign the jersey, and the complied willingly. Once
again a lot of people swarmed Gord D and he did his very best to sign everything.Ý Once Gord S finished signing my jersey, I heard someone call my name and it was Jake! He asked me if I got into the second show and when I told him I got front row at the box office for face value, he couldnít believe it. He asked if I was going to Vancouver, I told him I was (and Vernon) and we said weíd probably meet up there. Unfortunately there were too many fans and a few didnít get any autographs, but the four boys did their best to get everyone something.

In summary, I am so glad I came over from the Mainland for these two shows. Much like going to the States for a show, these two days were a blast and the boys were incredibly accessible in many ways, which I think is overall probably the coolest thing about them. I was able to really get to know the main crew of 4 security guards doing all 5 BC shows, so Iíll be in their good books for the next 3 shows. For any Victoria/Vancouver fans reading this, CBC Radio One Vancouver might air that ladyís Hip story and fan
interviews on Thursday September 19th between 400pm-600pm.

I met many rabid Hipsters including Mike Lambert and his buddy Matt, Morgan from Ottawa, and Kevin from somewhere in Ontario. There were also Jay, Jay and Lucky from Victoria who I met at the first sound check. Thank you to Stuart from show #1 and Dave and his girlfriend from show #2 for getting me aisle seats. Thanks to all of these people who made the two days very enjoyable and thanks especially to The Tragically Hip and Jake Gold for making all of it happen and making me feel pretty special for a long time to come.

Tony The Lost Barilko