06-24-2008, 02:13 AM
V Fest Calgary...or How Gord Downie Taught A City To Move
Much Music.Com
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![[Image: tragicallyhip1.jpg]](http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/images/tragicallyhip1.jpg)
One thing's for sure: Calgary's festival organizers know how to pick headliners who are true performers. This Gord Downie character sure knows how to work a stage.
But first, let's backtrack a second. I'm no Tragically Hip connoisseur by any means; I know Poets is the video with the cats and Ahead By A Century is that one that Much played a lot the year it came out (yes children, there was a time when we played videos by The Hip). Alas, there are few other Hip songs I can name or recite - but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the legendary Canadian band when they're mere feet in front of me. Aaaaaaand I did.
Sometimes a performer is a PERFORM-AIRE. Sometimes they just give it to you in all facets of stage prowess. And sometimes Gord Downie comes along and chews on a kleenex and acts like a primate right in front of your face. No, seriously - he played monkey for a short while. And he twirled and jumped and kicked his mic stand; he posed and skulked and jammed and saaaaaaang. When you've got a camera in your hand, this kind of stage presence is gold. I was laughing and snapping away, grinning ear to ear.
![[Image: tragicallyhip2.jpg]](http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/images/tragicallyhip2.jpg)
![[Image: tragicallyhip5.jpg]](http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/images/tragicallyhip5.jpg)
Alas, I cannot tell you their set list, on account of the aforementioned lack of Hip knowledge - but if you were there, leave a comment relaying what you remember, and I'll share it with the peoples. Alls I knows is that the open venue was more packed than I had seen it all weekend; all eyes and ears were glued to a band that truly knows how to put on a show. And Gord is a maniac (in the best possible way)!
![[Image: tragicallyhip3.jpg]](http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/images/tragicallyhip3.jpg)
![[Image: tragicallyhip4.jpg]](http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/images/tragicallyhip4.jpg)
![[Image: tragicallyhip6.jpg]](http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/images/tragicallyhip6.jpg)
Much Music.Com
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/2008/06/vfest_calgary_t_4.php">http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/2008 ... ry_t_4.php</a><!-- m -->
One thing's for sure: Calgary's festival organizers know how to pick headliners who are true performers. This Gord Downie character sure knows how to work a stage.
But first, let's backtrack a second. I'm no Tragically Hip connoisseur by any means; I know Poets is the video with the cats and Ahead By A Century is that one that Much played a lot the year it came out (yes children, there was a time when we played videos by The Hip). Alas, there are few other Hip songs I can name or recite - but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the legendary Canadian band when they're mere feet in front of me. Aaaaaaand I did.
Sometimes a performer is a PERFORM-AIRE. Sometimes they just give it to you in all facets of stage prowess. And sometimes Gord Downie comes along and chews on a kleenex and acts like a primate right in front of your face. No, seriously - he played monkey for a short while. And he twirled and jumped and kicked his mic stand; he posed and skulked and jammed and saaaaaaang. When you've got a camera in your hand, this kind of stage presence is gold. I was laughing and snapping away, grinning ear to ear.
Alas, I cannot tell you their set list, on account of the aforementioned lack of Hip knowledge - but if you were there, leave a comment relaying what you remember, and I'll share it with the peoples. Alls I knows is that the open venue was more packed than I had seen it all weekend; all eyes and ears were glued to a band that truly knows how to put on a show. And Gord is a maniac (in the best possible way)!