[Shane Kroeker]

Arenas, blech...

I've been seeing The Hip since 1996 but if they play the arena in Winnipeg I will seriously consider not going. It was 2/3 full last time, it was a very similar show to the 2011 tour and the ticket price for each of those shows was outrageous.

The $40 front row tickets and 4 hour drive to Fargo was much more enjoyable.

Agreed on both accounts!

[Escape@Hand]

Well the new Hip App states in the news section that they suggest this is a good week to sign up for the mailing list, so I'm guessing early next week there will be a tour announcement.

[tber]

Heard a rumor FC will be played in it's entirety.

[NWOntario]

Heard a rumor FC will be played in it's entirety.

Ugh, I hope not. Doesn't that kind of kill the anticipation, when you know exactly how half the show's going to play out? I mean, I know we've essentially know on previous tours anyway, but even then there was a chance of hearing "Don't Wake Daddy" and feeling somewhat satisfied.

Then again, this might be the only way I get to hear "Pigeon Camera" live, so...

[Tthip]

I am actually hearing Europe early next summer.....

[Rye]

I don't see the point of this band doing an album tour other than a quick cash grab. I thought if it was an album tour it would be Day For Night since it just turned 20. Touring FC makes no sense.

[sean.bonner]

Touring FC makes sense if a remastered rerelease is on the horizon.....

[Rye]

Sorry but remastered or not, when a band is touring a 20+ yr old record, it's a cash grab. Rock bands are at their best when they are playing inspired new material. Nostalgia acts tour old records.

[direwolf74]

Sorry but remastered or not, when a band is touring a 20+ yr old record, it's a cash grab. Rock bands are at their best when they are playing inspired new material. Nostalgia acts tour old records.

I agree with this to an extent, but there are some exceptions. For instance, Bob Mould recently did a tour to support the reissued catalogue of his 90s band Sugar where he played the full albums, including some old Husker Du songs as a thank you to his fans. Is that a cash grab? I don't think so. Especially considering he's still pumping out great new material at the same time (this year's excellent "Beauty & Ruin").

[Rye]

I agree DireWolf, and Springsteen was the one exception where I didn't mind this mostly for the same reason you stated with Bob Mould; Springsteen snuck full albums in while touring albums.

In The Hip's case case though when you look at the decline of record sales and concert attendance this just reeks of a quick way to make some money and tour without having to put out new music. In Neil Young's last book he stated something along the lines of needing a new record to feel relevant and in the game. For my other favorite band, Pearl Jam, I think there shows are better when they have new music to support (and their shows the last 12 months would back that up).

All that said, this will probably be my only chance to see Lionized and The Wherewithal so I'll probably go. Hopefully if this rumor is true, the show isn't FC + 12 greatest hits.

[thebends]

It's only a cash grab out of your pocket if you buy tickets and support the gig. Personally I would prefer they stay away from the traditional full album concert concept, but would love to see something like a multi-night delivery of their entire catalog. The Hipathon.

[direwolf74]

It's only a cash grab out of your pocket if you buy tickets and support the gig. Personally I would prefer they stay away from the traditional full album concert concept, but would love to see something like a multi-night delivery of their entire catalog. The Hipathon.

At this point I'd be happy with an "evening with" style theatre tour, similar to the brilliant 2009 tour, which sadly was the last time I was actually blown away by one of their shows. I caught both nights at the Fillmore in San Francisco on that tour, and I was lucky enough to get 2 completely different setlists where they visited all corners of their catalogue. Since then their live show has become a lazy empty shell of it's former self. These guys were once the greatest live act on the planet, and I still have faith that they have it in them to earn back that reputation. This non-album tour might be really good for them. No pressure to sell new material. Just go out there and tour for the hell of it.

[Ry222]

Since they wont be supporting any new album, there is room for 6-8 songs in the setlist. Even if they still play some greatest hits, it can't be ALL greatest hits. Right? This should be interesting.

[Rye]

Ry222, that's what I thought in 2011 but we know how that tour went.

I realize my posts are cynical but I just feel like this band has burned me too many times, especially in the last 5-10 years. Ticket prices were over $130 last time in Winnipeg for the best seats in the house. The show at the ballpark on 2011 was over $100. Very similar and unispired setlists. I know there are a lot of casual fans going to shows, but it's just lazy the way the setlists have been structures the last few years (exception being the 2012 US tour).

I'm still hoping there's something different to this tour (an acoustic show, or portion of show, a non-album tour with a promise of deeper cuts, shows in smaller venues) but I'm not holding my breath.

[johnwblake]

Heard a rumor FC will be played in it's entirety.

Wondering if this might happen now with the re-issue of FC.