[chicagoblackhawks77]

Hey all,

Been a long time since I've posted. Still heart broken about Gord. Anyone know where I can find a copy of the final show from August 2016?

Thanks much,

Mick

[sean.bonner]

Hey all,

Been a long time since I've posted. Still heart broken about Gord. Anyone know where I can find a copy of the final show from August 2016?

Thanks much,

Mick

For sale right on Amazon!

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.amazon.com/National-Celebration-Blu-ray-Tragically-Hip/dp/B0777P3RZR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528906796&sr=8-1&keywords=tragically+hip+national+celebration&dpID=61dSOfoiRpL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch">https://www.amazon.com/National-Celebra ... dpSrc=srch</a><!-- m -->

[Killer Whale Tank]

You know, as powerful as that event was, and great as some moments were - the speech about First Nations, the climax of 'Grace Too' - the fact remains that neither that show nor that tour were close to being vintage GD. They could not possibly be, under the circumstances. This is in no way a criticism of what was one of the most remarkable performance achievements in rock and roll history...but just to express a certain regret that the most 'historic' Hip show and the one most likely to be viewed by future generations, or anyone wanting to know what this act was all about, was given at a monent of diminished powers. I hope I'm not offending anyone when I say that.

[kieffer]

You know, as powerful as that event was, and great as some moments were - the speech about First Nations, the climax of 'Grace Too' - the fact remains that neither that show nor that tour were close to being vintage GD. They could not possibly be, under the circumstances. This is in no way a criticism of what was one of the most remarkable performance achievements in rock and roll history...but just to express a certain regret that the most 'historic' Hip show and the one most likely to be viewed by future generations, or anyone wanting to know what this act was all about, was given at a monent of diminished powers. I hope I'm not offending anyone when I say that.

I think that was well stated and speaks to the reason I doubt I will ever go back and watch/listen to it again.

[direwolf74]

You know, as powerful as that event was, and great as some moments were - the speech about First Nations, the climax of 'Grace Too' - the fact remains that neither that show nor that tour were close to being vintage GD. They could not possibly be, under the circumstances. This is in no way a criticism of what was one of the most remarkable performance achievements in rock and roll history...but just to express a certain regret that the most 'historic' Hip show and the one most likely to be viewed by future generations, or anyone wanting to know what this act was all about, was given at a monent of diminished powers. I hope I'm not offending anyone when I say that.

I think that was well stated and speaks to the reason I doubt I will ever go back and watch/listen to it again.

Even Robby (or was it Paul) admitted that he didn't think it was their best show of the tour. As KWT said, it was a magical, emotional, and historic performance due to the circumstances. But even though I own both the bluray and audio versions, it's not a show I go back to when I want to listen to some live Hip (except for Machine and Grace, Too which absolutely KILLED).

My hope is that the band will eventually release a couple of live DVDs from their mid-late 90s heydey which feature Gord in his prime. I mentioned this in another thread as well, but people deserve to see what a dynamic and exciting performer he was when the band was at the height of their powers. There was no one else like him in rock.

[edgoffin]

I was glad to attend, it was an amazing experience and worth every $ for the atmosphere in the room and city, the emotion, Gord's determination (only later did I really appreciated how much it took for him to perform), and the band's support for him and each other. Oddly given the situation, a life affirming event when you realize people can come together on an emotional level.

But when I think of amazing performances, dozens come to mind of the numerous shows I saw. Any of the ARA shows were next level, in particular I recall Darian Lake was jaw dropping -- Gift Shop, with the line "and the pendulum swings" and the band kicked in, was like a rush of air.

Richardson Stadium in Kingston. Weather had been crappy but broke when the Hip hit the stage, but it was still chilly and wet. For me, I'd seen dozens of Hip shows by then, but they seemed to reach a new level on that night. I can still picture Gord in his baggy pants, navigating the stage monitors, mic stand as a harpoon.

Later years, I loved how fluid Gord became on stage -- his dancing, miming, painting the audience. I tear up a bit thinking about just how incredible a performer he was, truly one of a kind.

I'm hoping for at a minimum some archive audio shows that cover the different eras of the band. I'm also assuming lots of ARA was filmed for what became the documentary. CBC also seemed to film a number of earlier shows -- I recall there was a short special on one the Fort Henry show.

[NWOntario]

If I were to rank the "best" Hip shows I saw I would rank 31 of the 32. I can't rank the 32nd and final show. It's unrankable. I have no idea if it was an objectively "great" concert - I think it was, particularly given the circumstances - and quite frankly I don't care. The experience was unlike anything I'll ever get to do ever again.

I saw Pearl Jam play my hometown in 2005, which I never dreamed would happen in a million years. I've seen them 41 times; again, I can theoretically rank 40 of them in some sort of order but I can't rank seeing them in Thunder Bay. That and the last Hip show are in a category all on their own.

[andrew sharpe]

You know, as powerful as that event was, and great as some moments were - the speech about First Nations, the climax of 'Grace Too' - the fact remains that neither that show nor that tour were close to being vintage GD. They could not possibly be, under the circumstances. This is in no way a criticism of what was one of the most remarkable performance achievements in rock and roll history...but just to express a certain regret that the most 'historic' Hip show and the one most likely to be viewed by future generations, or anyone wanting to know what this act was all about, was given at a monent of diminished powers. I hope I'm not offending anyone when I say that.

You're softening...I'm almost disappointed. But yeah, everything you are saying here is spot on. Not sure it needed to be said, but I agree with it. I'm so happy I got to see them one final time, to say goodbye, but those shows are not how they will live in my memory.

[The Darkest Canuck]

They were on fire in the Hammer, ACC 3 was great, but First Ontario was even better. IMO.


Regardless, I am just thankful to get to see them at all on their final tour, let alone twice, and of course for the other ten times i got to see them throughtout the years from 99' on.

[Escape@Hand]

They were on fire in the Hammer, ACC 3 was great, but First Ontario was even better. IMO.


Regardless, I am just thankful to get to see them at all on their final tour, let alone twice, and of course for the other ten times i got to see them throughtout the years from 99' on.

They had some good shows that last tour for sure. Yes, it wasn't vintage Hip, but it was still memorable. I'm glad I got to the three shows that I did, and every one has a highlight for me. Victoria was probably my favourite, just because the setlist was so amazing, and Gord's suits were so far outside anything he's ever worn on stage. It was so exciting not knowing what song they were going to pull out, and I really believed the whole songbook was open for business, once they opened with that acoustic set.

The Ottawa show was great too, and I loved hearing the IBE set. Still wish I could have heard You're Everywhere live one more time, but getting to hear those four songs that night was so satisfying.

And finally, the Kingston show, which is hard to describe. The atmosphere in the building was unlike anything I ever experienced; the 7000 in the arena felt like 50,000, there was so much energy. While it won't go down as the band's "best" show every, the version of Machine was as good as anything gets, and M@W was the best I've ever heard it (and I've heard it a lot) - it just had a great energy to it. Still hard to believe Gord is gone, and that I'll never see another Hip concert, but I'm thankful for all the times I did see them, and for the great music they put out.

[direwolf74]

And finally, the Kingston show, which is hard to describe. The atmosphere in the building was unlike anything I ever experienced; the 7000 in the arena felt like 50,000, there was so much energy.

I had the same feeling at the first Vancouver show. I've seen a LOT of concerts over the years by many amazing artists, but I've never seen anything quite like that. It was just this massive tidal wave of energy, love, joy, sadness and nostalgia all rolled into one. Being there was an incredible experience that I'll take with me for the rest of my life. So happy and thankful that I got to witness it in person.

[NWOntario]

And finally, the Kingston show, which is hard to describe. The atmosphere in the building was unlike anything I ever experienced; the 7000 in the arena felt like 50,000, there was so much energy.

I had the same feeling at the first Vancouver show. I've seen a LOT of concerts over the years by many amazing artists, but I've never seen anything quite like that. It was just this massive tidal wave of energy, love, joy, sadness and nostalgia all rolled into one. Being there was an incredible experience that I'll take with me for the rest of my life. So happy and thankful that I got to witness it in person.

Same with me and Calgary 1, which was my first show on the MMP tour. We were there on time, but it took forever for us to get in - so we were still walking to our seats when the band came on stage, and I sorta just froze when I saw Gord in that silver suit. Calgary audiences are generally very good, by my experience, but this one was in a different stratosphere. It was absolutely electric. The versions of Bobcaygeon and ABAC from that show were all-timers - and that's when Gord was still doing the prolonged basking after the set/1st encore, so it was even more spine-tingling.