07-04-2008, 03:14 AM
Hip beyond need for hype
Rock heroes perform with characteristic prowess
By Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, July 04, 2008
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At this point in the Tragically Hip's career, it's not the latest single, video or tidbit of gossip that draws tens of thousands of people out to opening night of Bluesfest '08.
Heck, they're at the bottom of the marketing cycle, to put it in music-biz terms, so very little effort is being expended to make sure they maintain a public eye. Hold the interviews. Save the footage. Ban the bloggers. The plan now is to ramp up the hype for the next album, which is due for release later this year (or maybe next.)
It's a testament to the stature of a band when the hype continues without the help of a publicity campaign. In the case of the Hip, their reputation as a live act was honoured recently with a Governor General's Performing Arts Award, and somehow I don't think the GG selects artists based on whether or not their latest album is charting.
Back in the nation's capital for the first time since that memorable night, the band took the opportunity to celebrate. They've played Bluesfest a bunch of times over the years, but last night was their first show at the splendid new site.
After the opening pleasantries were dispensed in the form of two radio hits, In View and My Music at Work, a wild version of Grace, Too, made it clear it would be an unpredictable night for Canada's veteran rock heroes.
Eccentric singer Gord Downie tossed his jacket at the start of the song, and ripped up the melody with a couple of blood-curdling screams while lurching around the stage. In other words, he was in top form, and at deadline, the band was well on its way to another triumphant demonstration of their concert prowess.
On a beautiful night in Ottawa, throngs of fans streamed through the gates as soon as they opened at 6 p.m. For those who showed up early enough, the first thing that hit them was the ear-splitting force of Matt Mays and El Torpedo on the Rogers stage.
Mays, the Nova Scotia-born resident of Brooklyn, is about to jump headfirst into his marketing cycle with a fiery new album, Terminal Romance, set for release on Tuesday. He's also about to embark on a high-profile tour of western Canada with Kid Rock.
Unlike the Hip, Mays has a lot to prove in the coming weeks. How will he fare? Judging by last night's blistering set, Mays and his band members are ready to impress. The new material takes the set to another level, one the audience would have appreciated more if it wasn't so darn loud.
Thanks to the newly configured Rogers stage, the sound was directed south, straight into Centretown.
Soundbleed was also an issue on the nearby River stage, Back Door Slam, the hot new power-trio from the Isle of Man, managed to hold their own against Mays' onslaught with a blues-rock blast of their own. It was cool to see baby-faced singer-guitarist Davy Knowles, barely 20, turn into a demon with a growling voice and monster chops on guitar. The young band was a hit with Bluesfest's blues-seeking veterans, their lawnchairs planted in the muddy field next to the Ottawa River in anticipation of later sets by Keb Mo and Taj Mahal.
Rock heroes perform with characteristic prowess
By Lynn Saxberg, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, July 04, 2008
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=ef294b17-9007-4f61-b2d4-05b1bbddbc8d">http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/new ... b1bbddbc8d</a><!-- m -->
At this point in the Tragically Hip's career, it's not the latest single, video or tidbit of gossip that draws tens of thousands of people out to opening night of Bluesfest '08.
Heck, they're at the bottom of the marketing cycle, to put it in music-biz terms, so very little effort is being expended to make sure they maintain a public eye. Hold the interviews. Save the footage. Ban the bloggers. The plan now is to ramp up the hype for the next album, which is due for release later this year (or maybe next.)
It's a testament to the stature of a band when the hype continues without the help of a publicity campaign. In the case of the Hip, their reputation as a live act was honoured recently with a Governor General's Performing Arts Award, and somehow I don't think the GG selects artists based on whether or not their latest album is charting.
Back in the nation's capital for the first time since that memorable night, the band took the opportunity to celebrate. They've played Bluesfest a bunch of times over the years, but last night was their first show at the splendid new site.
After the opening pleasantries were dispensed in the form of two radio hits, In View and My Music at Work, a wild version of Grace, Too, made it clear it would be an unpredictable night for Canada's veteran rock heroes.
Eccentric singer Gord Downie tossed his jacket at the start of the song, and ripped up the melody with a couple of blood-curdling screams while lurching around the stage. In other words, he was in top form, and at deadline, the band was well on its way to another triumphant demonstration of their concert prowess.
On a beautiful night in Ottawa, throngs of fans streamed through the gates as soon as they opened at 6 p.m. For those who showed up early enough, the first thing that hit them was the ear-splitting force of Matt Mays and El Torpedo on the Rogers stage.
Mays, the Nova Scotia-born resident of Brooklyn, is about to jump headfirst into his marketing cycle with a fiery new album, Terminal Romance, set for release on Tuesday. He's also about to embark on a high-profile tour of western Canada with Kid Rock.
Unlike the Hip, Mays has a lot to prove in the coming weeks. How will he fare? Judging by last night's blistering set, Mays and his band members are ready to impress. The new material takes the set to another level, one the audience would have appreciated more if it wasn't so darn loud.
Thanks to the newly configured Rogers stage, the sound was directed south, straight into Centretown.
Soundbleed was also an issue on the nearby River stage, Back Door Slam, the hot new power-trio from the Isle of Man, managed to hold their own against Mays' onslaught with a blues-rock blast of their own. It was cool to see baby-faced singer-guitarist Davy Knowles, barely 20, turn into a demon with a growling voice and monster chops on guitar. The young band was a hit with Bluesfest's blues-seeking veterans, their lawnchairs planted in the muddy field next to the Ottawa River in anticipation of later sets by Keb Mo and Taj Mahal.