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This is my first time posting on Hipbase. Hope I can reach some Hip fans in the Northwest US this way.
I will be visiting Portland OR from June 13 to 17 (I'm from Victoria BC) and was floored when I heard the Hip would be playing at the Wonder Ballroom on June 16! I have never seen the Hip in a more intimate setting than the standard arena show.
I certainly want to go, but need to ask a few questions from Hip fans in the know down in the Rose City:
1.) How big is the Wonder Ballroom? Is it usually a general admission venue? Are there usually seats?
2.) Do the Hip sell out quickly in Portland? I was wondering whether it's best to have a friend get me tickets there or should I go through (ugh) Ticketmaster?
3.) Any word on the cost of the tickets?
Hope someone can help me with this.
TB
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I emailed a friend out thataway earlier today about the Portland show. His reply: "It's a no-brainer that you should attend this show with me. The Wonder Ballroom is tiny." While I won't be able to get there, it sounds like it'd be worth your trouble. When they played Portland in 2007, in another venue, I don't believe it sold out, but they get good crowds there. (And they got a rippin' version of "So Hard Done By" last time around.)
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I've gone to the last 2 Portland Hip concerts...both have absolutely not disappointed. They were both smallish crowds and were incredible performances; if you get a chance by all means go........I'm hoping to go again!
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Wilkydave,
When you mention "smallish crowd", you mean the venue was not quite full?
Kind of makes me wonder whether I should hold off on tix until I get there. Then again, I don't want to miss this opportunity! Just want to avoid Ticketmaster for tix if I can.
Thanks for all the replies to date!
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in 2007 @ the Roseland there could not have been 500 people there.........and in 2005 @ the Aladdin there probably was not much more. It looks like the Wonder Ballroom holds about 600-700 so they obviously are not expecting a whole lot more than the previous tours. I gotta figure a way to get down there again!
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Okay, I gave into temptation and bought a ticket to the Portland show through Ticketmaster US (after securing 2 tickets to the Save On Foods Memorial Centre show in Victoria). Yes, I had to pay $8 US extra in service charges :censored but I had to ensure my presence there. This promises to to be one wicked experience!
I do have a concern with the delivery of my tix though. As a Canadian resident, Ticketmaster US' policy is to mail ticket orders to Canadian customers no later than 48 hours before the date of performance. The catch is, I'm leaving for Oregon on the Friday (June 12). Is there any way I can get Ticketmaster US to send my tickets early enough so I can receive them before I leave?
I would also like to connect with Hip fans or Canadian expats in PDX who are going to the show! Perhaps we can persuade cycle commuter Gord Downie to try bike riding in Biketown? :wink:
TB
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You won't regret your experience....good call with the tickets! My experience has been extremely positive with getting tickets mailed from US distributors.......I usually get them within a week or so of when I purchase them. I am really hoping to be there as well; it may mean a 7 hour drive to get down and then back the next day but it would be worth it. We are going to Portland at the end of this month to see Sam Roberts perform......tickets are $8.00 (or $10.00 at the door). That's why I like going there to see Canadian bands!
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ToastyB Wrote:I do have a concern with the delivery of my tix though. As a Canadian resident, Ticketmaster US' policy is to mail ticket orders to Canadian customers no later than 48 hours before the date of performance.
TB
If you don't get the tickets in time - just make sure you bring the credit card that you purchased the tickets with to the show.
Most box offices associated with Ticketbastard can reprint your "lost" tickets right with the credit card.
"We're forced to bed, but we're free to dream"
Dana
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Thanks Tthip! I'll keep that in mind.
Anyway I'll contact Ticketbastard and see what they can do. I'm not holding my breath, but if they can charge $8.00 in service charges, then I expect some service from them.
So WD, perhaps I'll see you down in PDX? Let me know if you're able to go. Just curious, why do you prefer to go to Portland over Seattle for Canadian band concerts?
TB
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I will let you know; i live in Kamloops so it may be a last minute type of thing. Seattle is almost like a Vancouver date as the venues are larger. We did go see them at the Moore 2 years ago, and although it was a great concert it could not come close to the intimacy of a show further south....like Portland.
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Okay, I finally received my ticket in the mail! Never thought Ticketbastard would actually deliver on what they promise.
It's a General Admission show, so I presume there are no seats. Can any Portland Hipsters advise where would be the best vantage point to view the stage, and the best time to arrive (i.e.: right when the doors open)?
Not being familar with Portland, I was wondering if there are any Hip fans interested in meeting up before the concert? I understand the doors open at 7:00, so perhaps we can meet before then.
