[cortezthekiller]

If the band is simply playing these festival gigs for the money, that's fine. All the power to them. But with fans paying upwards of $70 - $100 to see them, the least they can do is put on a decent show. When Gord is doing his god-awful screaming and purposely fucking up his vocal phrasing to the point where the song is unrecognizable, to me that shows not only a lack of caring on his part, but also a blatant disrespect to the fans, his bandmates, and the songs themselves. I'm all for improvisation and experimentation, but I just wish he'd tone down the screaming and sing in key for once. I really feel sorry for Paul, as the poor guy has to try and sing harmonies over top of that crap. I honestly don't know how the rest of the band puts up with it. As a musician I'd be embarrassed as hell if I heard that garbage coming through my monitors on stage. Gord is still a brilliant songwriter and one of the greatest frontmen of all time, and when he actually sings in key (as he clearly does on the studio albums), he's still got that wonderful, unique voice. But in concert he's an embarrassment right now. The Hip's entire career was built on their explosive, mind blowing live shows. As a long time fan it's really disheartening to see their reputation disintegrating in front of our eyes like this. And don't give me the age thing as an excuse. Pearl Jam are in their mid-40s and they're arguably the best live band in the world. Springsteen, Drive-By Truckers, Wilco, Skydiggers, Blue Rodeo, the Black Crowes...these guys are all in their mid 40s or 50s, and all of them are still putting on killer shows. The best example is probably Bob Mould. That dude is 52 and he still rocks harder than most bands half his age. And he actually SINGS his songs in key, which is always a bonus. Not only do these artists still play amazing shows, but they also aren't afraid to play songs from their entire catalogue and mix up their setlists from night to night. All it takes is a little rehearsing.

Speaking of the setlists, I suppose one could use the argument that the band doesn't owe us anything, and maybe that's true. But would it kill them to at least change things up a little? I understand that the majority of the crowd is there to hear the radio hits at these big festival shows, but for f**k sakes, at least throw the hardcore fans a bone or two. All they'd really have to do is give us three or four deep cuts mixed in with the hits, and I'm sure most of us diehards would be satisfied.

I guess the band puts up with it because, without Gord, they would have probably been playing to drunks in bars for the past thirty years. All due respect to the band, but Gord was the guy who brought the "it factor" to the band and really put them over the top.