[kennedy11]

Typo: hear

[direwolf74]

Ever since Gord picked up the guitar, it's been THE SAME SHOW again and again and again.

I completely disagree. If I remember correctly, Gord first started playing guitar on the '96 Henhouse tour, and I've seen countless mind-blowing Hip shows since then. The tours they did for Phantom Power, Music@Work, In Violet Light, IBE, WC, and WATS were all pretty freakin' awesome, and Gord played lots of guitar during that span. The quality of the Hip's live show didn't really start to decline until 2011. Since then they've been really inconsistent. Gord's annoying screaming, off-key singing, and the boring greatest hits-style setlists are the main culprits responsible for the crappy live shows we've seen recently. His guitar playing has nothing to do with it.

[spottrax]

Typo: hear

Certainly the issue isn't whether GD plays more or less guitar in concert. I got the impression that he started to play more as they became more diverse in concert. Also, as Gord gained a few years, I'll be willing to bet it was a good idea to play guitar to give him something to do during instrumental interludes....instead of dancing, ranting and coming up with wild and odd visual things.

Something changed after the 2009 tour. I'd be willing to bet A) Gord's singing voice became a concern and B) The band and management decided to take all the $$$ they could from the easiest of gigs....FESTIVALS and Casinos.

After 09 (save for the American leg of the NFPA tour) the band set out to play only hits, in venues that provided the sound and lighting (except for very minimal back panels). These types of shows require very little time, capital and effort from the band. They can do those shows with minimal crew and little if no rehearsal. More time to be with families and to do other musically satisfying projects.

The American leg of the NFPA tour had to have some rarities thrown in because the band knows that for the most part, the folks traveling to those shows would never do multiples if they only played hits.

That is my take if I had to bet...

Really a shame..... The Hip are probably a democracy in the sense that they probably had some members who wanted to do a different kind of show but had to compromise for the good of the band.

Obviously all of this is guessing. However, like several others on Hipbase, I have played in bands locally nearly every weekend for the past three decades. I think the entire last three years have been economic HIP.

Really A Shame.....What a fantastic band. I am still a fan. I'm not writing any of this to be whining or bitchy. Should be interesting to see what (If anything) the Hip does next.

For us fans, remastered cd's with out-takes and live shows from the Hips entire career would be a start.

[NegPhil]

The problem is not the band. The problem is Gord Downie and his stupid fucken screaming. I don't think he screams because his voice is blown. I think he does it because he is as tired of the Hits as we are. I also feel like his heart was not in the music this past tour. I am starting to think this "elder statesmen" thing has put them in a box. A big mainstream box full responsibilities, obligations and expectations that kill passion.
Screw the big shows. Screw radio stations. Screw record sales and Screw the casual fans. The Tragically Hip are about the music. If it has become all about the money then they are no longer the band I fell in love over twenty years ago. This is some serious shit boys. Work it out before it's too late.

[robbroncs]

i agree that him playing guitar isn't the problem...but i also agree that it is hysterically buried in the live mix at level 1-2.

[direwolf74]

i agree that him playing guitar isn't the problem...but i also agree that it is hysterically buried in the live mix at level 1-2.

This I agree with. Don't think I've ever been able to clearly hear his guitar playing during a Hip show, even during the acoustic numbers.

[Escape@Hand]

i agree that him playing guitar isn't the problem...but i also agree that it is hysterically buried in the live mix at level 1-2.

This I agree with. Don't think I've ever been able to clearly hear his guitar playing during a Hip show, even during the acoustic numbers.

I've often wondered why he is playing guitar because I can never really hear him. I found it interesting that on the shows I saw on the last tour (Rochester & Syracuse), he rarely played guitar. I've only seen them since the Henhouse tours, and I kind of imagined that the show I saw in Rochester was like the shows of days past, before he picked up the guitar.

[thebends]

i agree that him playing guitar isn't the problem...but i also agree that it is hysterically buried in the live mix at level 1-2.

This I agree with. Don't think I've ever been able to clearly hear his guitar playing during a Hip show, even during the acoustic numbers.

I've often wondered why he is playing guitar because I can never really hear him.

I don't think he knows what to do with his arms and hands. He has mentioned that on a couple of occasions. I believe he also wants to contribute more to the overall sound of the band, but like someone else mentioned he is so deep in the mix I'm not sure its worth it. Don't know why this is the case since he is a talented guitar player, anyone that has seen him play solo can attest to that.

[eatmecompletely]

The problem is they have lost most their creativity

Gord spends half the show dancing like an idiot or ranting about a mike

Gord its been 8 years, time to think of a new gimmick or gag

1993 gord would kick current gord's ass !

They are really mailing it in each show

They dont have the energy or ability to improv anymore

every show is the same crap

I am tired of seeing gord pull that crap with a hankie or rants about the mike

how about doing what you used to do and rant about whats on your mind!

Or how about letting Bobby go wild and jamm a song out

[eatmecompletely]

The problem is they have lost most their creativity

Gord spends half the show dancing like an idiot or ranting about a mike

Gord its been 8 years, time to think of a new gimmick or gag

1993 gord would kick current gord's ass !

They are really mailing it in each show

They dont have the energy or ability to improv anymore

every show is the same crap

I am tired of seeing gord pull that crap with a hankie or rants about the mike

how about doing what you used to do and rant about whats on your mind!

Or how about letting Bobby go wild and jamm a song out

[eatmecompletely]

The problem is they have lost most their creativity

Gord spends half the show dancing like an idiot or ranting about a mike

Gord its been 8 years, time to think of a new gimmick or gag

1993 gord would kick current gord's ass !

They are really mailing it in each show

They dont have the energy or ability to improv anymore

every show is the same crap

I am tired of seeing gord pull that crap with a hankie or rants about the mike

how about doing what you used to do and rant about whats on your mind!

Or how about letting Bobby go wild and jamm a song out

[robbroncs]

i'm sorry....can you repeat that?

[redhill]

i'm sorry....can you repeat that?

:lol:

[chris]

i'm sorry....can you repeat that?

:lol:

[mark]

The problem is not the band. The problem is Gord Downie and his stupid fucken screaming. I don't think he screams because his voice is blown. I think he does it because he is as tired of the Hits as we are. I also feel like his heart was not in the music this past tour. I am starting to think this "elder statesmen" thing has put them in a box. A big mainstream box full responsibilities, obligations and expectations that kill passion.

i agree 100%.

Screw the big shows. Screw radio stations. Screw record sales and Screw the casual fans. The Tragically Hip are about the music. If it has become all about the money then they are no longer the band I fell in love over twenty years ago. This is some serious shit boys. Work it out before it's too late.

they will never 'screw the casual fan'. unfortunately for us, casual fans make up about 90% of a show, in my opinion. who do you cater to? the 90% or the 10%? as much as i would like see them play even a couple of songs for the 10%, the majority will rule and we will have to sit through another botched NOIS and a screaming, offkey Grace Too opener.