[Tthip]

So.
Hey.
What are the guys doing between 5/27 and 6/16???

[mcwslc]

Obviously this free show is an indication The Hip will never sellout Heinz Field in Pittsburgh like they use to do in the old days, their popularity is definitely waning in the great state of Pennsylvania. Seriously though, it looks like Gov't Mule and moe. will be playing shows at the same festival a few days before The Hip, and they are free as well. Both of these bands have a pretty dedicated following on the east coast and have no problem filling theaters with paying customers, and they tour every year.

Speaking of Gov't Mule, I noticed they are sharing the bill with The Hip in Weert at the Bospop Festival on 7/9/06. Gov't Mule is Warren Haynes band, and he also happens to be one of the guitarists in The Allman Brothers Band. The ABB's other guitarist happens to be Derek Trucks, who coincidently opened for The Hip in the US on the Phantom Power Tour in 1998. Anyhow, if you know anything about Warren Haynes, he is one of the best guitarists around these days, and he has a tendency to sit in and play a few songs with other bands on the same bill. I have personally seen him play live with Widespread Panic and Dave Matthews (my girlfriend's favorite band, not mine), and I know he has sat in with many, many others as well. Anyhow, its not as if The Hip need a 3rd (or 4th guitarist), but Warren is a very cool, laid back guy who has covered many of the same bands The Hip covered in their early days.

[direwolf74]

From: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.artsfestival.net/2006Festival/performingarts.html">http://www.artsfestival.net/2006Festiva ... garts.html</a><!-- m -->
"The Hip’s quirky Canadian pop has kept them on the charts in both Canada and America for the past 15 years. In April of 2005, the Hip were inducted into Canada’s Music Hall of Fame."

I never saw someone say that before!

Quirky Canadian pop?? That sounds more like the Rheostatics, or maybe the Barenaked Ladies...but certainly not the Hip.

[chris]

Obviously this free show is an indication The Hip will never sellout Heinz Field in Pittsburgh like they use to do in the old days, their popularity is definitely waning in the great state of Pennsylvania.

Ummmm.... when did The Hip ever sell out Heinz Field?

From: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.artsfestival.net/2006Festival/performingarts.html">http://www.artsfestival.net/2006Festiva ... garts.html</a><!-- m -->
"The Hip’s quirky Canadian pop has kept them on the charts in both Canada and America for the past 15 years. In April of 2005, the Hip were inducted into Canada’s Music Hall of Fame."

I never saw someone say that before!

Quirky Canadian pop?? That sounds more like the Rheostatics, or maybe the Barenaked Ladies...but certainly not the Hip.

My thoughts exactly. Isn't there a picture of BNL in the dictionary under quirky? :thumb:

[eriehip]

Actually TTH played in front of a relatively small, paying crowd last time in Pgh. A place called the Rock Club. Only a couple hundred people there, althought if I recall, it was on a Sunday or some other bad night. I think the free thing is a great idea and the park is in a beautful spot, right at the confluence of the Mon and Allegheny rivers. (not to be confused with the confluence of travel and sex See Ya There !

[chives]

why a free show? are our friends not bigger than a free show? it reminds me of Teenage Head or Honeymoon Suite doing a free show at some local festival in Hamilton (for those of you around Hamilton, you know what I'm talking about). it might be great exposure, but come on now...

I don't think anyone complained when R.E.M. played a free show at Yonge & Dundas a few years ago here in Toronto......

Or the Chili Peppers, or Green Day....

ok, ok, let me clarify myself, first of all, I'm not really complaining, especially if I lived in PA and yes, those bands did a free show in Toronto, but they are international artists, established around the world. if, by reading some of these posts, the Hip had a hard time selling out a small club last time in PA, why do a free show. would they ever do a free show in Toronto? (although it would be great, I doubt it would happen). I just don't understand it, that's all. do you think a free hip show in PA is going to attract the same publicity that a free REM show in TO did? doubt it. I just like to see the boys get their due,, and I don't think they'll get it by doing free shows at art festivals....sorry if your offended

[chris]

chives, I'm not offended by someone having an opinion that's different that mine.

My thoughts are that they are playing a show as part of a well-publicized, well attended festival. People will go to the show regardless of who is playing.

Whether those in attendance all run out and buy the complete discography or not is irrelevant; the point is that more people get to experience The Hip... and maybe become fans.

[LoftyPines]

I could be way off, but i don't think free shows necessarily mean the band isn't being paid. I am assuming they are being paid, and the organisers of the event are making it free to the public. it's likely meant to bring tourists into the area and create economic spinoffs.

edit:
from the Three Rivers Music Festival Site

The mission of the Three Rivers Arts Festival is to connect the community to the arts.

The goal of the festival is to promote the arts in all of their forms and to expand the public awareness and acceptance of new art forms created beyond the mainstream culture. TRAF strives to blur the lines between “high” and “low” art by setting forth a new definition of art as inclusive and inventive. Contemporary life is one of multiple meanings, images, ethnicities and influences, and today’s arts are seen on line, on streets, on bodies and in every day media.

The Festival format, with open stages, flexible exhibit spaces and free admission, is the perfect setting for promoting experimentation and acceptance of today’s new arts.

[Corpse]

Who cares if they play a "free" show. If I have to pay to the see the Hip, I pay. If I'm in a city and they are playing a free show. Even better. Are we all mad because we don't live in the city where the "free" show is? I think that's more it than the Hip playing for "free". I had to pay for a show all these years, so why does Pittsburgh not have to pay.......
If you want free shows that draw a good crowd, goto Thursday in the Square in downtown Buffalo. They get national acts that play for "free" every Thursday till Spetember. The crowds are between 10 -30,000 a show. For free. <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.buffaloplace.com">www.buffaloplace.com</a><!-- w --> Sam Roberts, Gord Downie, Vince Neil, Pat Benatar, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, etc etc. Good times.

[senschic]

I heard about this yesterday! I am sooooooo excited! I am moving back to Pittsburgh in the middle of May so this works out perfectly! Only advice I have is bring your rain gear. It always seems to rain during arts fest.

[srb]

why a free show? are our friends not bigger than a free show? it reminds me of Teenage Head or Honeymoon Suite doing a free show at some local festival in Hamilton (for those of you around Hamilton, you know what I'm talking about). it might be great exposure, but come on now...

I don't think anyone complained when R.E.M. played a free show at Yonge & Dundas a few years ago here in Toronto......

Or the Chili Peppers, or Green Day....

ok, ok, let me clarify myself, first of all, I'm not really complaining, especially if I lived in PA and yes, those bands did a free show in Toronto, but they are international artists, established around the world. if, by reading some of these posts, the Hip had a hard time selling out a small club last time in PA, why do a free show. would they ever do a free show in Toronto? (although it would be great, I doubt it would happen). I just don't understand it, that's all. do you think a free hip show in PA is going to attract the same publicity that a free REM show in TO did? doubt it. I just like to see the boys get their due,, and I don't think they'll get it by doing free shows at art festivals....sorry if your offended

No offense taken Chives. We all want the boys to get their due, and I understand your point...I was just commenting on "are our boys not bigger than a free show". My R.E.M. example was meant that no band should be bigger than a free show. It's great publicity, a treat for the fans, and as Chris has mentioned a chance to win over new fans. Of course they could go the rest of their career without doing a free show & nobody would think twice about it, but it's a nice gesture.

[chancellor]

this show is very tempting, its only 5.5 hours away from hamilton according to google maps. Just need some lower gas prices. $1.085 a litre can make it an expensive drive

[cferneyh]

Call me crazy, but I'm guessing that the Hip are actually getting whatever their regular fee is, plus expenses, while this festival or the city of Pittsburgh is covering the cost, thereby making it free to attend. Maybe I've got it wrong but I don't think free = the artists aren't compensated.

Pretty cool of the city of Pittsburgh to do this.

[trevor]

Call me crazy, but I'm guessing that the Hip are actually getting whatever their regular fee is, plus expenses, while this festival or the city of Pittsburgh is covering the cost, thereby making it free to attend. Maybe I've got it wrong but I don't think free = the artists aren't compensated.

Pretty cool of the city of Pittsburgh to do this.

I bet your probably right. Sponsorships alone from companies wanting to promote would more than cover the costs I am sure. Plus if they are going to have an area to buy food and drink, well, my gosh, even more money coming in. So even though it is free to the attendees, I bet they are still getting paid to play.

[chris]

Sunoco is the sponsor for their show... so I guess that the $1.085/litre that we're paying at the pump is covering the cost of The Hip's performance...