Hugh’s Review: 2007-11-03 – Hogansburg, NY

The All Inn Lounge is basically a large cinder block warehouse. There was a six foot stage set up at one end of the huge room. In front of the stage were 15 rows of folding chairs. This was the VIP area. A few barricades separated this area from the majority of fans in general admission. VIP tickets were only available through the bar and therefore this section was dominated by locals from the surrounding towns and people from the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation. The Hip concert was an exciting event for this area and the venue was jammed to capacity with fans. Doors to the show opened at 6:00pm. There was literally 2000 people standing at the door at that time.

The show began with Robbie Baker taking the stage minus the beard and moustache he had the night before in Rochester, NY. Gord D was his energetic self. Paul, Johnny and Gord S showed great energy too, as The Hip closed out their World Container tour.

Some of the highlights for me included Paul playing a new guitar during ABAC. I don’t know what kind it was, but it was a bright pumpkin orange color. As the band played the intro for Springtime in Vienna, Gord D was counting off steps to choreographed “rock star” moves. He did these moves a number of times before saying, “You too can learn to be a front man”. During 100th Meridian Gord danced about crazily and finished by humping Johnny’s drum kit. Then he tried to lean back and spin on his mikestand. It snapped in half and left him lying flat on the floor. He picked up the pieces and gave them to lucky fans. Unfazed, Gord grabbed another mikestand, leaned back on it and spun about the stage pretending to be a race car driver.

Robbie played a Rolling Stones riff before dropping into the familiar chords of Poets. During this song Gord’s mike was stuck in his chest like an arrow to his heart. He was trying to pull it out, but he couldn’t. Gord enlisted the help of a confused bouncer in front of him. The bouncer pulled and pulled until he dislodged the arrow, slightly embarassed that he was the center of attention. At the end of the main set Gord said good night and he was giving a special thank you to the road crew. Some ignorant fans began throwing items at Gord. He became quite upset and yelled it was not very civilized to throw things at performers because it showed no respect. With that, Gord threw his mike to the floor and stormed off the stage. I was positive Gord wouldn’t be back for an encore. Thankfully the band returned for three more songs.

After the show, we hung out by the tour bus waiting to meet the guys. About 20 people waited with us while the band was still inside the venue for an after show meet and greet. When the meet and greet was over The Hip told security to let us all back inside to meet them also. It was very fun to chat with the guys and get pictures and autographs. I’ve had some wonderful experiences following the band throughout North America. I love watching The Hip play their music.
Hugh & Gord D.

Hugh’s Review: 2007-11-02 – Rochester, NY

The sold out concert at the Rochester auditorium began with Canadian and U.S. fans trying to chant louder than each other. A large group of Canadians sitting in the balcony began chanting “Let’s Go Leafs”. The New York fans responded with “Let’s Go Buffalo”. The crowd’s energy was high as everyone shouted back and forth. In the midst of all this, The Hip came on stage.

The set list was a good mix of old and new songs. Gord D began ABAC stating, “Girl, I know the person you are. I know the future I got.” Robbie played his acoustic guitar as he usually does during this song. At the end, Robbie switched to his electric and played a great new solo. It was a refreshing change to a great song. During Rink, Gord was a hockey player stickhandling and dekeing back and forth across the stage.

The 100th Meridian was definitely a highlight of the show. During the musical break Gord D was uncanny. Everthing began with a woman throwing her bra at Gord. He caught it and gave it a sniff. Then Gord had a mikestand battle. He battered the stand, giving it a number of hip checks. Gord used the mikestand like a metal detector on the beach. Then Gord did something amazing. He flipped the mikestand into the air, rolling it over his back. The mikestand did one full rotation and landed perfectly upright on the stage. Now the stand was a rifle and Gord was a soldier marching back and forth. Gord then took the upper half of the stand and twirled it like a baton. He walked back and forth, raising it high and low while continuing to twirl it perfectly. This drew a large round of applause from the Auditorium. Gord then threw the stand like a spear. It landed right next to Paul. Lastly, Gord used the microphone as a golf ball. He did a great imitation of hitting it back and forth across the “fairway”. Gord would take a fake backswing and come down at the “ball”. When his imaginary club should strike the “ball”, he would kick the mike and it would fly across the stage. The sight of Gord swinging and the sound effect of Gord kicking the mike made the golfing look and sound realistic. Gord’s whole “act” for this song was very entertaining.

Little Bones ended the main set. Gord mangled his mikestand and bent it into an “L” shape. His microphone became a paint brush. He used it to “paint” the fans. After the encore break The Hip came out for 3 more high energy songs. The Auditorium was in a frenzy. As Fireworks finished Gord said, “Rochester, this is what you sound like…” and he held his mike out to the crowd. A huge roar welled up. Gord then snuffed his mike out on the stage like a used up cigarette and causually left the stage.