[briansmccabe]

I am not looking to start any rumors, so let me clarify that this is 100% guessing and speculation.

BNL's tour launches 10/20. World Container drops 10/17. BNL play huge shows in the US (at least compared to TTH) and love to bring out support acts that have small followings in the US (Guster in 2000, Howie Day in 2004, etc).

BNL stops here in Salt Lake City on 11/22, the day before US Thanksgiving. My bro was kind enough to buy me tickets, even after I told him repeatedly I could not go because I did not want to find a babysitter for my three kids for Thanksgiving Eve. Then it dawned on me - if there is ANY chance whatsoever that TTH will be touring in support of BNL, that changes EVERYTHING. It wouldn't be that big a suprise if you really think about it. Maybe the label really wants them to reach some large US audiences to try and create their long-delayed "US breakthrough." I'm not gonna say a word about Bob Rock and his penchant for making superstars out of bands.

So....to MAv and anyone else in the know - is this anywhere within the realm of possibility??

thanks -

Brian Mc

[Ry222]

I'm sorry, but if the Hip ever opened up for the BNL I would cry. I can't see it happening.

[direwolf74]

The Hip are still a headlining act in the U.S., just in smaller venues. Like Sam Roberts said recently: "The Hip play to 1000 people every night down in the States and they sell out everywhere they go. I would kill for that kind of following." In the past 15-20 years, the only bands they've ever opened for were the Rolling Stones, Rush, and Page & Plant. Unless the Ladies want to be blown off the stage every night, I highly doubt they'd want the Hip as an opener.

[joshwayy]

The Hip are still a headlining act in the U.S., just in smaller venues. Like Sam Roberts said recently: "The Hip play to 1000 people every night down in the States and they sell out everywhere they go. I would kill for that kind of following." In the past 15-20 years, the only bands they've ever opened for were the Rolling Stones, Rush, and Page & Plant. Unless the Ladies want to be blown off the stage every night, I highly doubt they'd want the Hip as an opener.

My thoughts exactly!

[tth_fan]

No offense to BNL, because they are a great Canadian band, but they're no Hip. The genre, the attitude, and the live performances differ to such an extreme, that ppl would go and not know which band they paid to see.

[Cpt. Trips]

Barenaked Ladies open for the Hip.

Music without Borders.

Concert for Toronto.

If it was the other way around, id be in therapy.

[Billy]

I can't see the Hip doing that to themselves as I don't think they are so much concerned with breaking in the states anymore...but who knows.

[gentoo]

The Hip opening for BNL? I seriously doubt that.

For what it's worth, BNL are playing here earlier in Nov. and the opener is Mike Doughty's Band.

[briansmccabe]

In the past 15-20 years, the only bands they've ever opened for were the Rolling Stones, Rush, and Page & Plant.

...And Nirvana, and Blues Traveler, and Bruce Hornsby, and The Black Crowes....

[briansmccabe]

The Hip opening for BNL? I seriously doubt that.

For what it's worth, BNL are playing here earlier in Nov. and the opener is Mike Doughty's Band.

I seriously doubt it too. I don't think it's as weird a billing as everyone else seems to think though.

And I'm certain that BNL's crowd would not consider the Hip to be "blowing BNL off the stage" every night by any means.

[briansmccabe]

I can't see the Hip doing that to themselves as I don't think they are so much concerned with breaking in the states anymore...but who knows.

I don't know that they ever were.....but their label sure as hell is. a US breakthrough translates into big bucks for the label. Naturally they'd have an active interest in it.

The guys have said on more than one occasion that if they didn't want to do a gig, they wouldn't. I think at this point in their career it's unlikely for them to be interested in doing a large US tour in support of a band with a bigger following. If they were to do so, however, it stands to reason it would be with a band they already have some sort of friendship with.