[NegPhil]

Well said Horrible Esthete.

[grimes]

See, that's where I disagree, based completely on my own experiences.

I've been to lots of shows, but can tell you off the top of my head which songs what I've rarely heard and which I've heard regularly. I can remember that during FC, DFN, & TATH tours, you might hear anything, mostly because they hadn't released enough "hits" (singles) to fill up a setlist. "Setlist Redundancy" hadn't become an issue for me until maybe the IVL tour. And it only gets worse as there's an apparent sense of "obligation" to play most of the singles from past records.

If I were heading to a Hip show, say, in Cleveland right this minute, I could make a list of about 30 songs and pretty much guarantee that the setlist would not include anything that wasn't on that list. And Given that this is a band with ten - TEN - full-length records, I'm left to conclude that as a whole, the band's setlists are becoming downright redundant, dull, and predictable.

Again, I'm not trying to criticize the band for this as much as I'm just pointing out that my interest in attending gigs is waning, and honestly, it makes me a little sad. What used to be an event that I feverishly looked forward too, and that used to be a magical experience, is no longer, when that simply doesn't have to be the case. There's plenty of material in that catalog to keep things interesting and keep me guessing.

How many times have we heard Gord refer to us, the audience, as "music lovers"? I'd like to think that he is onto something there -- that the average Hip fan is a little higher on the scale of loving music than the average Joe. If so, why then would you feed them only what is "familiar", what is "recognizable", and what is "expected"? Why?

Please -- forget any sense of obligation and let us enjoy more of your wares in concert, free of expectation. Open that setlist to the expanse of your vault of art -- let us experience and appreciate all you have created.

Two years ago, during the IBE tour, I would have agreed with you completely. But based on my personal experiences, they have made huge strides recently in this regard. Prior to 2004 I had been to 5 Hip shows, and in the 3 I saw that year, I heard only 1 older song that I'd never witnessed live before (with "older" meaning Phantom Power or earlier). Over the course of 3 shows in 2006 (June 24, Oct 23 and 25) I got 10 older songs that were new to me, and 43 different songs total.

Now I agree it looks like they've regressed a bit with this arena tour, but when you're playing arenas, you have to balance pleasing the masses with pleasing the hardcores. By my count they still played 50 different songs over the first six stops on this tour, which is pretty decent IMO, and certainly better than any other band I've ever seen.

[tth_fan]

They're small venue tour (like MacEwan Hall, etc.), they played a huge catalogue which a lot of gems (Use it Up, On the Verge, Gus, Fiddler's, etc). THOSE shows were for the hardcore fans.
They want ppl to keep coming to a 10,000-16,000 seat arena though, and for that, they need to play some regulars...sometimes, thats the way music works.

[opiated]

use it up is a gem?

[tth_fan]

use it up is a gem?

It is to me....to each their own

[opiated]

use it up is a gem?

It is to me....to each their own

oh for sure..i was just givin ya a hard time!!

[The Horrible Esthete]

Two years ago, during the IBE tour, I would have agreed with you completely. But based on my personal experiences, they have made huge strides recently in this regard. Prior to 2004 I had been to 5 Hip shows, and in the 3 I saw that year, I heard only 1 older song that I'd never witnessed live before (with "older" meaning Phantom Power or earlier). Over the course of 3 shows in 2006 (June 24, Oct 23 and 25) I got 10 older songs that were new to me, and 43 different songs total.

Valid points about 2006 shows.

However, they have yet to play anything with setlists as diverse as the 2006 Canadian shows down here in the States.

Here's hoping the sets on US tour will emulate those in Canada last summer....I guess....

[ewallman]

They're small venue tour (like MacEwan Hall, etc.), they played a huge catalogue which a lot of gems (Use it Up, On the Verge, Gus, Fiddler's, etc). THOSE shows were for the hardcore fans.
They want ppl to keep coming to a 10,000-16,000 seat arena though, and for that, they need to play some regulars...sometimes, thats the way music works.

Bingo. I recall a few years back Dire Straits played in town and they said beforehand they were going to play tunes not as 'famous'. A few people from work went, claimed they were 'fans' and then later said they did not recognize most songs. Most arean fans are casual ones and just from the noise crowd of Corage compared to others you know it is recognized.

As for NOIS, I kind of thought it tokk a step down live when Gordie started playing acoustic instead of jumping around.

I always take the approach that this is my favorite band, we are blessed that they are still togethr making new music and playing live so any song they want to play is fine by me.

Tom Cocharne just played in town at the Grey Cup and the fans still went nuts for White Hot, Lunatic Fringe (which would be a good Hip cover I think) and Life is a Highway. So the hits are played in the big stages.

[giller10]

The song has gone downhill, somewhat, since Gord decided to play the acoustic on it. Does the acoustic guitar add anything to that song? I don't think so.

And the previous comment about them throwing new songs in the middle is right on the mark.

I've seen them 30+ times and I wouldn't miss NOIS if they never played it again.

Having said all that Blow/Dough is still awesome.

I've always thought a good contest to have for Hip fans would be to let someone pick the setlist for one show. I'm sure everyone's thought about their perfect setlist.

See ya in Rochester

[john cage]

The last two times I've seen NOiS it rocked (Phoenix - TO and HoB - Chicago). Rob was rippin'.

I go against the grain and would rather see Blow played less often.

[jonprice34]

I think I have a way to try and make most fans happy- the casual and the hardcore. The Hip could play NOIS with an extended jam in the middle including other songs, as it used to be played (Nautical, fire and Put it Off, have all been played in the middle of NOIS at one time). If they were to do that again then the casual fans get to hear it and The hardcore fans get to hear the song changed up a bit from night to night. I don't think it will ever be "retired" as it was one of their first big hits, but with this "idea" it could bring a "new appreciation" again for the song.

[Travellin Man]

NOIS closed the show in Regina and it was Fantastic. The trick is not to listen to it anywhere but a live show and then it doesn't get old.