The Hip: Quintessentially Canadian

As the name so subtlely suggests I was lucky enough to see the Tragically Hip perform on Thursday.

But not only was it the Hip that I was lucky enough to see, but they brought along with them Hey Rosetta! and Broken Social Scene, two extra amazing Canadian talents.

Hey Rosetta took to the stage pretty early for a weekday evening at 5.40pm, so unfortuantely there weren't very many there to see how great their east-coast folk-rock is, espcailly live. The band is nominated for the Polaris Music Prize (for the 2nd time) this year, as I mentioned in a previous post, and when the 6-piece took to the stage it was clear to say why. They put their whole hearts into the performance, despite the slowly increasing audience that was there. Including a violinist and cellist to their talented band, the band brings something unique to a sound that's been recreated many times. They've changed their

band members quite a bit in the last few years, as well as having a few musicians who intermittently travel along with them, yet they have still been able to produce a crisp sound at a live performance.

Shortly after Hey Rosetta! finished their set, Broken Social Scene took to the stage. The musical collective had 8 members on stage during this show, with each member taking turns at different instruments for the set. I won't pretend to know what all their names are, or even every single one of their songs, but I can say that both time I've seen them they've played their music beautifully. It was nice that this was an outdoor show at the Northlands grounds, as opposed to the indoor Northlands show I saw them play (Freezing Man), and to be able to hear the full extent of all the instruments playing together. As multi-talented as they are though, I'm not sure that I would go to see them as a headlining act. I take that back, unless it was a sit-down venue/event, and the tickets were reasonable. They just don't have that "concert personality"/presence that many other bands do for a live show. The "lead" singer, does take time to chat to the crowd, and even donned a cowboy hat, but it still just doesn't leave you with that "WOW" feeling.


And of course, the Hip. What is there to say about this classic Canadian -bar-rock band that so many don't already know...I'm hard-pressed to find anyone in the area who doesn't foot tap along My Music at Work, karaoke to New Orleans is Sinking, or have the urge to find a soul mate while listening to Bobcaygeon. Granted I have found people who "don't like them", until reminded of their songs. They sung what everyone had come out to hear, and even threw in words of advice for rowdy (read:drunk) fans. Those who were making it difficult for everyone else to enjoy the music were backed up by lead singer, Gord Downie. He took time at least 4 times during the 2 hour set to try and set the crowd-surfers (you want to take that risk on a parking lot...? Really?), and well...idiots straight (One 10-year-old fan even got hit in the face...). But for the most part, it was better than a typical concert where the idiots grow in numbers throughout the night; most people were there just to hear At the 100th Meridian, Ahead by a Century and more hits than I can count.

This is so obviously a band that's polished their act and know how to work with each other. I mean they should, after so long. But there wasn't a bad thing to say about the set (well, nothing about the band anyway).

As for the outdoor venue, I feel like the band won't play it again unfortunately but it was fun to be at an outdoor general admission show for such great acts. The stage was high enough so that even from the middle or back you could see the band perfectly.