PunBB

The Hip need your help
By Sarah Crosbie Whig-Standard Features Editor

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=906106">http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=906106</a><!-- m -->


In just one week, the Tragically Hip takes the stage to play the inaugural concert at the Kingston Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre.

The lights come up.

The crowd goes wild.

And frontman Gord Downie looks into the sold-out audience of 6,700 die-hard fans, grabs his mic, and yells "are you ready to rock, Kingston!"

And then Downie, Gord Sinclair, Rob Baker, Johnny Faye and Paul Langlois begin to rock - but which song?

In an exclusive interview with The Whig-Standard that we'll be publishing next week, Baker talks about many interesting things - the band might just be working on a new album - but one thing he wouldn't disclose is the setlist for the band's first show at the city's newest concert hall.

Maybe that's because they're still trying to decide whether to play a classic such as Courage or Little Bones or go with something new like the single In View from their most recent album, World Container. Better yet, what about the appropriately titled The Lonely End of the Rink from that disc?

We thought it would be fun if we made the Hip's job less stressful by suggesting a good first song for their first concert at the new downtown venue, and their first local concert since 2004's Across the Causeway rock show.

Tell us what Hip song you'd like to be the one that christens the stage and why. E-mail us your suggestion to <!-- e --><a href="mailto:whiglocal@thewhig.com">whiglocal@thewhig.com</a><!-- e -->, with "Hip song" as the subject line.

Please include your name and a phone number.

We'll accept submissions until Thursday.

A selection of your song suggestions will be published in the paper before the Hip concert on Saturday, Feb. 23. (We won't publish your phone number.)

Be sure once the concert is over, to visit <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thewhig.com">www.thewhig.com</a><!-- w --> for photos and a story on the show. There'll be more information in our Tuesday paper, too.

Thanks Phil! Submission sent.

cough*smalltownbringdown*cough

It seems almost fitting that The Hip should reach deep into their past and play "Get Back Again". Die-hard fans will know this one and would lose their minds if the show opened this way. It's a rare one! The lyrics seem to apply to the situation as well...The Hip returning home to "Christen" a new arena...first time back since "Across the Causeway". The lyrics read as follows:

"Be all right till we get back again" and "I could never leave my home".

Thanks for listening.

"Get Back Again" is a fantastic choice and this whig article will atleast get both fans and the band thinking of a unique choice to open the show/arena.

It seems like (and it could just be me) the band hasn't broke the mold in awhile to done something that isn't "yer favourites" pleasing......i know its just the first song of a hometown show, but it seems like a meaningful song (and their are so many that can work) will set the tone for the rest of the night and even shows to come.

The question is will it be a Yer Favourites night or will it be a Kingston Ontario night?

I don't think Gord is gonna start the show with a

Quote:"are you ready to rock, Kingston!"

I think it will be more something like.... "Hello"

Small Town Bringdown


"You're long and lean
But things don't get you down
You're a top ten kingpin in the
borders
Of your hometown"

I hope it starts with...

Smoke what you gotta smoke!
Drink what you gotta drink!
Just meet me baby, at the lonely end of the rink!

New arena and Frontenacs play the night before the show...I think it should be Lonely End Of The Rink as well...Or how about Last American Exit?

Quote:this whig article will atleast get both fans and the band thinking of a unique choice to open the show/arena.

Fans love to speculate on what gems the band might play but I don't think this article will do anything to get the Hip thinking about a unique opener.

They haven't played live in a few months and I think they will stick with songs they are most comfortable with. If they do plan on playing a rare tune I think the Brockville soundcheck might be the best indication.

I expect the setlist to be very similar to the last few on the tour. LEOTR is a good choice and a good bet for the opening song. I always like it when they open a concert with a song that normally shows up somewhere in the middle of the setlist like Springtime at Startford or Don't Wake Daddy at Buffalo.

Either way, it should be a blast! Can't wait.

My setlist wish:
01: Nautical Disaster
02: Fully Completely
03: Family Band
04: Get Back Again
05: Ahead By A Century
06: Locked In The Trunk Of A Car
07: In View
08: Poets
09: The Darkest One
10: Goodnight Josephine
11: My Music At Work
12: The Dark Canuck

Intermission

13: The Lonely End Of The Rink
14: Pigeon Camera
15: The Dire Wolf
16: Three Pistols
17: Opiated
18: Fifty Mission Cap
19: World Container
20: The Heart Of The Melt
21: Fire In The Hole
22: Blow At High Dough
23: Yer Not The Ocean
24: Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man
25: Emperor Penguin

Encore 1
26: Springtime In Vienna
27: Lake Fever
28: Little Bones

Encore 2
29: Grace, Too

Encore 3:
30: Smalltown Bringdown

Perhaps it's a bit ambitious, but so was the plan for the new arena!

chris Wrote:My setlist wish:
Perhaps it's a bit ambitious, but so was the plan for the new arena!

Are we doing this thing?
Maybe I'm a bit more realistic... you know, with Emperor Penguin being in my setlist and all :lol:

01. The Lonely End Of The Rink
02. In View
03. New Orleans Is Sinking
04. Grace, Too
05. Lake Fever
06. Yer Not The Ocean
07. Gift Shop
08. Ahead By A Century
09. Twist My Arm
10. Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man
11. World Container
12. Springtime In Vienna
13. At The Hundredth Meridian
14. The Last Of The Unplucked Gems
15. Locked In The Trunk Of A Car
16. Family Band
17. Long Time Running
18. Poets
19. Fire In The Hole

20. Don't Wake Daddy
21. Wheat Kings
22. Fifty Mission Cap

23. Blow At High Dough
24. Emperor Penguin


Not a dream one... but if I was asked to come up with something realistic with some gems... I'd whip up something like this :thumb:

Fuck, I get too much joy thinking of writing a setlist. Sad really.

And I just don't think we'll see two sets
I hope I'm wrong.

sean.bonner Wrote:

chris Wrote:My setlist wish:
Perhaps it's a bit ambitious, but so was the plan for the new arena!

Are we doing this thing?
Maybe I'm a bit more realistic... you know, with Emperor Penguin being in my setlist and all :lol:

Emperor Penguin is song 25 in my setlist.

chris Wrote:

sean.bonner Wrote:

chris Wrote:My setlist wish:
Perhaps it's a bit ambitious, but so was the plan for the new arena!

Are we doing this thing?
Maybe I'm a bit more realistic... you know, with Emperor Penguin being in my setlist and all :lol:

Emperor Penguin is song 25 in my setlist.

I know.

I really think Grace, Too is the ultimate opener...can't go wrong.