[Jack Straw]

Summer tour is fast approaching and I'm just wondering what you all expect or are hoping for from the band. It's kind of a weird tour in that it's kind of a mash-up between the festival circuit we've seen over the past 2 years and a bit of a continuation of the NFPA Tour for those cities that we're left off the original schedule.

Is it going to be a whole summer of festival setlists? Or will they use the freedom that Europe usually affords bands to open things up a bit and head back to North America with a wide open song book? Montreal, Ottawa and Grand Falls are in the most danger of the Festy treatment, but who knows with the others... It could be wide open.

The last 2 summers have been a bit of a drag from someone like me who loves to anticipate what 'might be played next' and who also loves pouring over the live recordings as many of you do as well. Sometimes it felt like the same show over & over. Of course there were circumstances that probably played a role in what probably amounted to limited rehearsal and the limited schedule and I get that. I think you would have to say that what we saw from the band in 2011 & 2012 (summers) was the exception and not the rule, no?

I guess we'll find out soon enough.... I'll just end it by saying this and then hopefully some of you can chime in on what you think/expect/hope for, etc... --- If the boys can't play The Depression Suite live with a keyboardist, then it's time to start carrying one of those around full time... It's a gem and I hope we get to hear more of it in the future...

---mjs

[direwolf74]

They mixed it up nicely on the 2012 tour, so with any luck they'll do the same for the summer. However, this being a festival tour for the most part, I wouldn't be surprised at all if they play it safe and simply bust out the radio hits. Clearly none of us want to see that happen, but it's inevitable.

[spottrax]

I'm going to go with radio hits plus a few odds and ends thrown in.

However....What I/we'd like to see is some radio hits, some album cuts and even a new song or two thrown in for good measure to reassure us fans that the Hip are moving forward (like always!). AND....if was a real dreamer, I'd like to see the band utilize the keyboard player (and extra backing vocals) this summer. I've been listening to several shows lately and the 09 tour was simply the best (in the last decade). Great vocals, lots of rare and more melodic songs, GD voice was probably the best it's been in years on that tour.

The shows in Europe will probably be a continuation of the NFPA tour setlists etc....IMO

[direwolf74]

I'm going to go with radio hits plus a few odds and ends thrown in.

However....What I/we'd like to see is some radio hits, some album cuts and even a new song or two thrown in for good measure to reassure us fans that the Hip are moving forward (like always!). AND....if was a real dreamer, I'd like to see the band utilize the keyboard player (and extra backing vocals) this summer. I've been listening to several shows lately and the 09 tour was simply the best (in the last decade). Great vocals, lots of rare and more melodic songs, GD voice was probably the best it's been in years on that tour.

Couldn't agree more. I don't mind hearing the hits, just as long as throw the die-hards a bone or two and sprinkle in some album cuts/rarities. And your comments on the '09 tour are spot on. Jim Bryson's keys and backing vocals were awesome during those shows, and Gord's voice was in top form. Probably the best I've ever heard him sing. Since '09 his voice has been hit & miss. Some nights he sounds amazing, while others he's downright awful. I mentioned this in another thread as well, but I wonder if maybe they need to map out their tours differently so that he at least gets a day off between gigs to rest his pipes. Or as they call it in sports, a "maintenance" day.

[Jack Straw]

Keys are key...

[Ry222]

The Canadian dates will most likely see the radio hits, but I wouldn't be surprised set-lists that we saw on the US leg of this tour. That Rochester set-list still amazes me - so glad I made the trip!

[thebends]

Keys are key...

Would also love to see some horn(s) for the Lookahead and other Hip classics.

[Jack Straw]

That Rochester set-list still amazes me - so glad I made the trip!

On paper that was the standout by far... Well, we're about to find out...

[wheresourpigeoncamera]

I'm hoping that Grand Falls will get a gem or two. Preferably from day for night. I do anything to hear THUGS!!

[Escape@Hand]

The Canadian dates will most likely see the radio hits, but I wouldn't be surprised set-lists that we saw on the US leg of this tour. That Rochester set-list still amazes me - so glad I made the trip!

Yes me too, that was easily the best show I've ever seen. I wish all their setlists were like that!

[carebread]

I'm going to have to hit a US date or two.

[Ry222]

The Canadian dates will most likely see the radio hits, but I wouldn't be surprised set-lists that we saw on the US leg of this tour. That Rochester set-list still amazes me - so glad I made the trip!

Sorry everybody, I meant to say that I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some Rochester-type shows in Europe. Should've proof-read.