09-16-2013, 08:15 PM
Yikes. I'm all for doing a stripped-down acoustic tour of theaters, but if they're just gonna turn into a dinosaur act trotting out the greatest hits at casinos, then you can count me out of any future Hip tours. To me that would mean they've basically thrown in the towel and become nothing more than a Tragically Hip tribute band. You don't see Blue Rodeo doing that crap, and they're roughly the same age as the Hip, with families as well. The Hip are better than that. We know it. They know it.
Personally I hope they take a nice long hiatus and disappear for a while. Something is definitely off with these guys right now (particularly with Gord), and I think they could use some serious time away from all things Hip. Paul can put his new record out and tour for a bit. Gord can put out another record with the Country of Miracles and hopefully rediscover the virtues of singing in key. Maybe they'll finally release the long rumored Sadies/Downie collaboration and he can tour with those guys for a while, just to do something different.
They also need to sit down with each other at some point and have a serious discussion about their recent setlist decisions. Especially if they want to hold onto their legendary reputation as a kick-ass live act (which they're barely clinging to right now after this recent summer tour). Robby is a gifted guitarist, but as a setlist writer he's creatively bankrupt. You wanna play the hits, that's fine. I understand that's what pays the bills, and I have no problem with that. But fer f--- sakes, at least throw the hardcore fans a bone or two and mix things up a little. You know, the people who have paid obscene amounts of money over the last 25 years buying your records, your merchandise, and attending your shows. Give that amazing back catalogue some much needed love and attention. As recently as 2009 the Hip were absolute masters at switching up the setlists and making every show unique. What exactly happened between the '09 tour and now is anyone's guess. But it's clear that somewhere along the line a decision was made to switch to a hits-laden "going-through-the-motions" style setlist with little to no surprises. For a band that was once the golden standard for setlist variation, this decision is absolutely baffling to me. Especially when you consider the treasure trove of brilliant material they have in their arsenal. I just don't understand it.
All that being said, I still think these guys are amazing songwriters, and I will continue to buy whatever new material they release. But until they fix their broken live show, I won't be spending any more money seeing them in concert. Their show in Calgary on Sept. 7th (my 37th Hip show) was very likely my last one. As a guy who has followed their career since 1989, it saddens me to say that.
Personally I hope they take a nice long hiatus and disappear for a while. Something is definitely off with these guys right now (particularly with Gord), and I think they could use some serious time away from all things Hip. Paul can put his new record out and tour for a bit. Gord can put out another record with the Country of Miracles and hopefully rediscover the virtues of singing in key. Maybe they'll finally release the long rumored Sadies/Downie collaboration and he can tour with those guys for a while, just to do something different.
They also need to sit down with each other at some point and have a serious discussion about their recent setlist decisions. Especially if they want to hold onto their legendary reputation as a kick-ass live act (which they're barely clinging to right now after this recent summer tour). Robby is a gifted guitarist, but as a setlist writer he's creatively bankrupt. You wanna play the hits, that's fine. I understand that's what pays the bills, and I have no problem with that. But fer f--- sakes, at least throw the hardcore fans a bone or two and mix things up a little. You know, the people who have paid obscene amounts of money over the last 25 years buying your records, your merchandise, and attending your shows. Give that amazing back catalogue some much needed love and attention. As recently as 2009 the Hip were absolute masters at switching up the setlists and making every show unique. What exactly happened between the '09 tour and now is anyone's guess. But it's clear that somewhere along the line a decision was made to switch to a hits-laden "going-through-the-motions" style setlist with little to no surprises. For a band that was once the golden standard for setlist variation, this decision is absolutely baffling to me. Especially when you consider the treasure trove of brilliant material they have in their arsenal. I just don't understand it.
All that being said, I still think these guys are amazing songwriters, and I will continue to buy whatever new material they release. But until they fix their broken live show, I won't be spending any more money seeing them in concert. Their show in Calgary on Sept. 7th (my 37th Hip show) was very likely my last one. As a guy who has followed their career since 1989, it saddens me to say that.