08-22-2016, 11:14 AM
Lucky enough to be in the building -- before tickets went on sale, my wife and I agreed we're going no matter what (at least I think we agreed). I get some grief from friends on how many Hip shows I've seen, especially in the past few years. I'd always say "one of these will be the last, and I don't want to miss it." Joke became a harsh reality.
Kingston itself was electric. We got to town around 2 pm and it was buzzing. Lots of people trading stories everywhere we stopped. Great job by the city, most places would have screwed it up. Some funny rumours too, like Mike Jagger was there and Justin Bieber (which made me fear they had Justins confused and think Biebs is the PM).
We went into the rink early, had credit card entry tickets and was really leery about that process. Again, in line for beer had great conversations about past shows, missed shows, these shows. What struck me was the people in the rink -- these were fans. I was not sure if it was going to be a lot of connected people, politicians and all that. It was real fans, people who had seen the band many times, appreciated we were in the building, and maybe felt a bit guilty for being in the building.
The emotion of the day building into the arena I can't even begin the describe. The Ottawa show felt a lot sadder for me, more of a goodbye. Not sure why. I also though they looked very road weary on Thursday. That seemed to be gone on Saturday, way more like a celebration.
As the band hit Grace, Too I really stopped to take it all in. I was lucky enough to catch on to the band in the EP days. They're been there since I was 15, 16 years old. Too many road trips to count. Take in the band, take in the crowd, joy and incredible sadness. A monumental mic drop....then god damn, they come back out and it was nothing but celebration.
Bleary eyes all around, and then hitting the wave of the crowd leaving the market square. That really brought perspective for big this celebration really was. I'll never be part of something like that ever again.
Kingston itself was electric. We got to town around 2 pm and it was buzzing. Lots of people trading stories everywhere we stopped. Great job by the city, most places would have screwed it up. Some funny rumours too, like Mike Jagger was there and Justin Bieber (which made me fear they had Justins confused and think Biebs is the PM).
We went into the rink early, had credit card entry tickets and was really leery about that process. Again, in line for beer had great conversations about past shows, missed shows, these shows. What struck me was the people in the rink -- these were fans. I was not sure if it was going to be a lot of connected people, politicians and all that. It was real fans, people who had seen the band many times, appreciated we were in the building, and maybe felt a bit guilty for being in the building.
The emotion of the day building into the arena I can't even begin the describe. The Ottawa show felt a lot sadder for me, more of a goodbye. Not sure why. I also though they looked very road weary on Thursday. That seemed to be gone on Saturday, way more like a celebration.
As the band hit Grace, Too I really stopped to take it all in. I was lucky enough to catch on to the band in the EP days. They're been there since I was 15, 16 years old. Too many road trips to count. Take in the band, take in the crowd, joy and incredible sadness. A monumental mic drop....then god damn, they come back out and it was nothing but celebration.
Bleary eyes all around, and then hitting the wave of the crowd leaving the market square. That really brought perspective for big this celebration really was. I'll never be part of something like that ever again.