[darren]

A conspicuous silence from the National Capital Commission regarding the musical festivities on Parliament Hill on July 1.
An about-face from the CBC on airing That Night in Kingston, which now goes again exactly a week prior to July 1.
A silence since the start of the MMP tour from the band regarding what - if anything - is next...
Count me among the hopeful.

[sean.bonner]

It will end up being Shawn Mendes or something

[arewhyehen]

A conspicuous silence from the National Capital Commission regarding the musical festivities on Parliament Hill on July 1.
An about-face from the CBC on airing That Night in Kingston, which now goes again exactly a week prior to July 1.
A silence since the start of the MMP tour from the band regarding what - if anything - is next...
Count me among the hopeful.

I don't think the band has really been silent about things. Sinclair was working on music and touring with Miss Emily..

Downie did the Secret Path shows..

I was just talking with Rob yesterday and he is slowly working on a new Strippers Union album with Craig. He's also "retired" :lol: and seemed to have a lot of art projects on the go..

Artists disappear for this long without word all the time. I don't think it's suspicious at all. It been like 9 months?

I did think it was weird that they decided to randomly air the show on June 24th though. Why not re air it on the 1 year anniversary? It's a Sunday night...nothing else going on.

[cochise]

A conspicuous silence from the National Capital Commission regarding the musical festivities on Parliament Hill on July 1.
An about-face from the CBC on airing That Night in Kingston, which now goes again exactly a week prior to July 1.
A silence since the start of the MMP tour from the band regarding what - if anything - is next...
Count me among the hopeful.

I don't think the band has really been silent about things. Sinclair was working on music and touring with Miss Emily..

Downie did the Secret Path shows..

I was just talking with Rob yesterday and he is slowly working on a new Strippers Union album with Craig. He's also "retired" :lol: and seemed to have a lot of art projects on the go..

Artists disappear for this long without word all the time. I don't think it's suspicious at all. It been like 9 months?

I did think it was weird that they decided to randomly air the show on June 24th though. Why not re air it on the 1 year anniversary? It's a Sunday night...nothing else going on.

My thoughts exactly. I am not expecting a concert of any sort. To be honest, seeing Gord on stage with Blue Rodeo a month or so ago.......I hate to say it, but I just don't see him ever performing again. He looks in good health, but its taking his toll on him in other ways. I would love to be wrong, but I think those secret path shows were the last of any true live performance we will ever see.

BUT, the June 24th seems so random, especially since its so close to a year, why not wait? I think maybe the documentary release or another CD (of some sort), or maybe a tribute concert, will be announced?

I have never wanted to be so wrong though.

[arewhyehen]

My thoughts exactly. I am not expecting a concert of any sort. To be honest, seeing Gord on stage with Blue Rodeo a month or so ago.......I hate to say it, but I just don't see him ever performing again. He looks in good health, but its taking his toll on him in other ways. I would love to be wrong, but I think those secret path shows were the last of any true live performance we will ever see.

BUT, the June 24th seems so random, especially since its so close to a year, why not wait? I think maybe the documentary release or another CD (of some sort), or maybe a tribute concert, will be announced?

I have never wanted to be so wrong though.

Yeah, it could be in prep of some other big announcement, but I don't really see a concert. The Kingston show for me was a tough, but sweet farewell. It was an incredible ending for a great band. I don't know why they would just do a random show after all of that. I have come to accept that fact and I am okay with it. As you said, I also don't know if Gord's health and/or memory could allow him to do another full show. He was getting pumped full of drugs just to do the tour last summer. Now add 11 months to that...hmm..

BUT....I hope I am wrong too. I couldn't think of a better band to play for the 150 celebration...

[sean.bonner]

As an aside... I would love to see Paul hit the road again.

[Moosehead]

If I had to make up a theory... perhaps an appearance (not performance) on Parliament Hill and the Order of Canada presented. Assuming Gord would want such an award (hard to read!)

Although it's not really my theory: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/wondering-about-gord-downie-and-an-order-of-canada-heres-an-answer/">http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/wond ... an-answer/</a><!-- m -->

Orders of Canada are handed out twice a year: around New Year’s and on Canada Day.

[thebends]

Ha, this thread is making some sense. Have mixed feelings about it but what better platform to resonate on Gord's national activism.

[arewhyehen]

If I had to make up a theory... perhaps an appearance (not performance) on Parliament Hill and the Order of Canada presented. Assuming Gord would want such an award (hard to read!)

Although it's not really my theory: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/wondering-about-gord-downie-and-an-order-of-canada-heres-an-answer/">http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/wond ... an-answer/</a><!-- m -->

Orders of Canada are handed out twice a year: around New Year’s and on Canada Day.

Will these be given out during Canada day long weekend in Ottawa?

[patiodweller]

So who is going to introduce them? Don Cherry? Dan Ackroid? Justin Trudeau? Drake? A digital animated Stompin' Tom?

[edgoffin]

I wonder is the CBC's rights to the broadcast expire soon with an upcoming commercial release in some format? A random Saturday rebroadcast does seem weird, but it's also the beginning of "no-man's land" for summer TV. As simple as an executive saying "what can we show that gets some eyes on the screen?"

I agree with many of the above comments, I don't see the band doing a one-off show (though am happily wrong). Gord looked pretty good at the Raptors and Bruins game, but performing may be a different level. Blue Rodeo showed looked like he struggled, but I think he's almost always looked out of place when onstage with another band regardless of health. Never seems to know where to stand, what to do.

Little for the band to gain by playing a Canada Day show. It may actually be harmful to the brand, after the general population felt they saw "the last show" in August. I know the marketing never called it the last show, but that's what most people think they saw. In today's social media world, the negativity could be overwhelming. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I envision twitter exploding in a very negative way, worse than the ticket fiasco. Gord joked about it in the Peter Mansbridge interview, but I think that's a real consideration when you're managing the long-term legacy of the band.

I also don't know how they can top that August show? Recall back in the summer, there were rumours of a Buffalo show. I did not think it would happen, but after leaving the rink that night had a real feeling it was over, just based on "how do you top that as a career send-off?". Two songs on Parliament Hill as an opening act for fireworks pales in comparison.

[arewhyehen]

I wonder is the CBC's rights to the broadcast expire soon with an upcoming commercial release in some format? A random Saturday rebroadcast does seem weird, but it's also the beginning of "no-man's land" for summer TV. As simple as an executive saying "what can we show that gets some eyes on the screen?"

I agree with many of the above comments, I don't see the band doing a one-off show (though am happily wrong). Gord looked pretty good at the Raptors and Bruins game, but performing may be a different level. Blue Rodeo showed looked like he struggled, but I think he's almost always looked out of place when onstage with another band regardless of health. Never seems to know where to stand, what to do.

Little for the band to gain by playing a Canada Day show. It may actually be harmful to the brand, after the general population felt they saw "the last show" in August. I know the marketing never called it the last show, but that's what most people think they saw. In today's social media world, the negativity could be overwhelming. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I envision twitter exploding in a very negative way, worse than the ticket fiasco. Gord joked about it in the Peter Mansbridge interview, but I think that's a real consideration when you're managing the long-term legacy of the band.

I also don't know how they can top that August show? Recall back in the summer, there were rumours of a Buffalo show. I did not think it would happen, but after leaving the rink that night had a real feeling it was over, just based on "how do you top that as a career send-off?". Two songs on Parliament Hill as an opening act for fireworks pales in comparison.

Well put! Couldn't agree more. Especially with the media part....people will jump all over them online just to get a few clicks on their website.

[potsie]

I wonder is the CBC's rights to the broadcast expire soon with an upcoming commercial release in some format? A random Saturday rebroadcast does seem weird, but it's also the beginning of "no-man's land" for summer TV. As simple as an executive saying "what can we show that gets some eyes on the screen?"

I agree with many of the above comments, I don't see the band doing a one-off show (though am happily wrong). Gord looked pretty good at the Raptors and Bruins game, but performing may be a different level. Blue Rodeo showed looked like he struggled, but I think he's almost always looked out of place when onstage with another band regardless of health. Never seems to know where to stand, what to do.

Little for the band to gain by playing a Canada Day show. It may actually be harmful to the brand, after the general population felt they saw "the last show" in August. I know the marketing never called it the last show, but that's what most people think they saw. In today's social media world, the negativity could be overwhelming. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I envision twitter exploding in a very negative way, worse than the ticket fiasco. Gord joked about it in the Peter Mansbridge interview, but I think that's a real consideration when you're managing the long-term legacy of the band.

I also don't know how they can top that August show? Recall back in the summer, there were rumours of a Buffalo show. I did not think it would happen, but after leaving the rink that night had a real feeling it was over, just based on "how do you top that as a career send-off?". Two songs on Parliament Hill as an opening act for fireworks pales in comparison.

Well put! Couldn't agree more. Especially with the media part....people will jump all over them online just to get a few clicks on their website.

Great points by both of you. Personally my head and my heart are in conflict on the idea of a potential Canada Day Hip performance. My heart says, "Why wouldn't anyone want to see more Hip? Yes, Kingston was great, but wouldn't we all want to see Gord prowl the stage once more, flanked by Paul, Robbie, Gord and Johnny? How is this even debatable? And who cares what the social media reaction would be - those complaining about 'the end not being the end' can't be true fans of the band."

My head says, "Damn, that tour last summer was magical. A Canada Day performance in Ottawa is a high profile gig and if the Hip can't 'bring it' like they did last year, people will walk away saying they should have left well enough alone and went out on the high of Kingston. A sloppy gig would tarnish the legacy and with a one-off like this, there is no chance for redemption. Social media reaction would be vicious. The band should just continue to bask in the glow of that final show and if there is still something left in the tank, then channel that energy and desire into studio work."

[Scotty12]

My thoughts exactly. I am not expecting a concert of any sort. To be honest, seeing Gord on stage with Blue Rodeo a month or so ago.......I hate to say it, but I just don't see him ever performing again. He looks in good health, but its taking his toll on him in other ways. I would love to be wrong, but I think those secret path shows were the last of any true live performance we will ever see.

BUT, the June 24th seems so random, especially since its so close to a year, why not wait? I think maybe the documentary release or another CD (of some sort), or maybe a tribute concert, will be announced?

I have never wanted to be so wrong though.

Agree with all of this. Eager to watch the documentary and hopeful that new release(s) are coming down the pipeline.

The only thing that "makes sense" about this timing is that NHL/NBA finals will be over. Not waiting until the one year anniversary truly puzzles me.

RE: CBC brodcast rights expiring
I was under the impression that they only had the live broadcast rights. No tv or digital after the show ended, with all footage belonging to the band. If that wasn't the case, wouldn't we have seen a tv rebroadcast before now or the show hosted on their youtube? If that is the case, I suspect that either another payment was negotiated or the hip have something else coming down the pipeline and want the extra buzz that a rebroadcast would generate. Maybe both.

Edgoffin makes good points about there being little to gain for the band and how it could be potentially harmful to their brand if they played again. He makes an even better point asking how could they top Kingston. I have said that I dont think any band has ever went out on such a high note, and I would hate for that to be tarnished.

As an aside... I would love to see Paul hit the road again.

It's a broken road.

[andrew sharpe]

As an aside... I would love to see Paul hit the road again.

+1. That album and tour were both pleasant surprises.