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Staying Power of Double Sets... - Printable Version

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Staying Power of Double Sets... - bstrauss24 - 11-06-2009

I am of the opinion that The Hip are a band who's fans will always come back for more. They are also the type of fans that travel when they can, and see multiple shows per tour (as is evidence from all of the familiar faces I see all over The US and Canada)

That said, I have been wondering lately if the double set evening with shows are going to become the status quo for the remainder of the bands tenure. I feel like The Hip are truly a band that does not benefit from an opening band, and with their catalouge only getting bigger, I wonder how they will contuinue to fit in all the standards while touring a new album.

Any thoughts? (For the record, I would be all for this forever more!!)

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - mojo_mattv - 11-06-2009

I some how doubt it. It's hard to do these double sets and keep the crowd under control (especially with a break in the middle) at large arenas like the ACC and I can't see them only playing theater shows for the rest of their career. I certainly hope they bring out more openers, I've been introduced to some of my favourite artists through seeing them as Hip openers (Joel Plaskett Emergency, Attack in Black, Weakerthans) and had a chance to see some of my favourite artists that I was already familiar with (Sam Roberts Band, Sarah Harmer). I don't know maybe I'm one of the few who looks forward to showing up early to a show and catching a band I've never heard of with the chance I might "discover" something new.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - Shane Kroeker - 11-06-2009

mojo_mattv Wrote:I some how doubt it. It's hard to do these double sets and keep the crowd under control (especially with a break in the middle) at large arenas like the ACC and I can't see them only playing theater shows for the rest of their career. I certainly hope they bring out more openers, I've been introduced to some of my favourite artists through seeing them as Hip openers (Joel Plaskett Emergency, Attack in Black, Weakerthans) and had a chance to see some of my favourite artists that I was already familiar with (Sam Roberts Band, Sarah Harmer). I don't know maybe I'm one of the few who looks forward to showing up early to a show and catching a band I've never heard of with the chance I might "discover" something new.

I agree with you. Just adding on your thoughts, I believe that the band genuinely likes to help to promote fresh and non-mainstream bands, which they themselves enjoy. Its a form of giving back to music makers and music lovers.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - Jack Straw - 11-06-2009

Double sets work great for Phish, Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, The Dead, Rat Dog, Phil & Friends to name but a few. It really comes down to how much they like playing and if they are committed to playing deep into their catelog. It could go either way. I love the two set format. Shit, with the prices these days I want 2+ hours from a headliner. Obviously certain shows along the way won't allow for this (Fests). Time will tell I guess.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - HandsInTheRiver41 - 11-12-2009

To answer your question "I wonder how they will contuinue to fit in all the standards while touring a new album", the obvious answer should be "Not playing all your hits every night". At this point in their career, there's not going to be too many people at any given show who haven't seen them before, and if they haven't I'm sure they'll be coming back for more so I really don't see the need to be playing NOIS every night in the near future. Hopefully the band realizes the full potential of their catalog and begin splitting the hits up between different shows.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - spottrax - 11-12-2009

I think the double sets have more to do with the band's direction...AND...saving Gord's voice than anything else. I can see an slight variation on the format for future arena shows...ie...One long set with no intermission but still having a 2-3 song acoustic mid-section. I completely agree with the above statment....I was introduced to some terrific Canadian bands over the years who opened for the Hip...I'm sure they will have openers again....IMO :thumb:

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - Mr. Lahey - 11-12-2009

I think the band wanted to try something fresh and unique for themselves and their fans. Would anyone have guessed that they'd play shows from April to December without ever playing a full arena show? I guess Kingston was an exception.

I can't see it being this format next tour although an acoustic break may remain. As for them playing too many hits per show and not mixing it up enough I think part of the reason they do this is because they now have ALOT of songs in the catalogue. It's probably hard for them to remember how to play the more rare songs and execute them as well as the ones they play consistently. We also know that Gord does have trouble remembering lyrics at times, as he even admitting on I & I nine years ago. Having said this, if they played the rarities more consistently they would execute better as well. It seems it is just easier for them to stick to the general setlists and not venture out of their comfort zones too much. At the same time we may have no idea how much work it is and how much stress it may put on the band to try to incorporate all of the older and rarer songs.

Going into the next album with another 11-13 songs added to the catalogue it will be even more rare to hear the old treats that we crave every tour. Hopefully they will find away to satisfy our unsatisfiable thurst for classic tunes.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - mojo_mattv - 11-12-2009

I'm just hoping that IVL tunes make a serious comeback on the next venture. Still waiting on quite a few of those. With all the love that M@W got this tour, we can always hope (well at least I can).

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - let_me_out - 11-12-2009

I really enjoyed the amount of songs they played on this tour. Although, I believe the smallest number that I've heard was 20 at Fort York on the saturday show, and it was also the show with the most rare songs, including 38 years old which I doubt I will ever get to hear again. I feel I keep ending up at the "better" shows and hearing songs that I never expected to hear. Opiated came up this year, scared (acoustic) came up this year, etc. I think the crowds are better at the smaller shows and I think the guys on stage appreciate that as well. The new years eve show in 04 was a great example where the crowd wasn't nearly as in to it and it put a damper on the show for me.

Whatever they do I will keep going. Every show has gotten better and better.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - HandsInTheRiver41 - 11-12-2009

Mr. Lahey Wrote:Would anyone have guessed that they'd play shows from April to December without ever playing a full arena show? I guess Kingston was an exception.

I don't know why people keep saying this and that "double sets wouldn't work in arenas". I saw them perform two 'evening with' format shows at the arena here in Victoria and it seemed to work (especially since you could sit down during set break)... I don't even think the kingston show had two sets.

Mr. Lahey Wrote:It's probably hard for them to remember how to play the more rare songs and execute them as well as the ones they play consistently. We also know that Gord does have trouble remembering lyrics at times, as he even admitting on I & I nine years ago.

When other bands I see break out rarities they usually work out the kinks during soundchecks until they feel they get it right. Lyrics usually come back quickly once you play a song again (especially one you've written) but I know of a few lead singers who tape a lyric sheet on the ground in front of them for rare and complex songs they can't remember. I don't think ol' Gord would need such a sheeet though.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - HandsInTheRiver41 - 11-12-2009

mojo_mattv Wrote:I'm just hoping that IVL tunes make a serious comeback on the next venture. Still waiting on quite a few of those. With all the love that M@W got this tour, we can always hope (well at least I can).

It really is quite a pity that the only song I've heard from IVL is IaGLIFYDW (which I do love) and from MM@W, the title track. What I'd give to hear Dire Wolf, Dark Canuck, Tiger the Lion and countless others (I only listed the ones they actually play somewhat regularily).

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - sean.bonner - 11-12-2009

The double-set format would loose its charm if they did it all the time.
I'm willing to bet that whenever the next tour is, it will be a regular show with an opening act.
Boys, bring Hawskley on tour with you :jump

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - Mr. Lahey - 11-13-2009

HandsInTheRiver41 Wrote:I know of a few lead singers who tape a lyric sheet on the ground in front of them for rare and complex songs they can't remember. I don't think ol' Gord would need such a sheeet though.

It looked like he was using cheat sheets for The Bear and Titanic Terrarium during the first acoustic set at the Danforth.

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - spottrax - 11-13-2009

[/quote]When other bands I see break out rarities they usually work out the kinks during soundchecks until they feel they get it right. Lyrics usually come back quickly once you play a song again (especially one you've written) but I know of a few lead singers who tape a lyric sheet on the ground in front of them for rare and complex songs they can't remember. I don't think ol' Gord would need such a sheeet though.[/quote]

I had the privlege of being at a soundcheck in Detroit in 07. The band does indeed work out older songs (and during that tour all those covers) at soundcheck. I remember them ripping through Thugs and a couple other "rarer" things....as well as several covers....some they did play....and some they did not play during the show...

Being a musician myself...I have actually taken my band either backstage or even into the van with an acoustic guitar and a notepad to do a quick re-learn of something we hadn't done in a while.....

Funny thing is Gord kept sending the tour manager to her laptop for lyrics of all the different covers during the soundcheck....she would have a printed copy for him within minutes!

I guess there isn't really a point to all of this.....but hell if bands like Pearl Jam, REM and others can completely switch it up and dig deep for those nuggets.... so can the Hip! :thumb:

Re: Staying Power of Double Sets... - chris - 11-13-2009

What if they play the songs they like to play... not just what we want to hear? And keep in mind we - fans who go to multiple shows, frequent message boards, care about this kind of stuff - are the exception. Most fans that go to a Hip show are not like us.

If they were Hipbase would have tens of thousands of members.

And on the topic of remembering lyrics - does it diminish your interest in the band if you know that Gord is using a teleprompter?

And who's to say that it's just Gord's inability to remember lyrics that is the challenge - what it Rob doesn't remember the licks, or Johnny, or Sinclair?