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So now what? The 2012-2013 tour is over, Now For Plan A is in the books. People and critics have their opinions on the tour and the album which is fine, but where does the band go for here? Time to regroup? Time to pack it in? Time to focus on solo or other interests? Does anyone see anything different in the near future? (Different as different tourning schedule, different approach to albums, different set lists maybe???)
As always, your thoughts are your own and may or may not be appreciated here......just kidding
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Like many on here, I'm happy to speculate on the future of the band instead of complain about how their live set deteriorated as of late.
The way I figure, they've got two options:
1-Continue their recent trend and play greatest hits-heavy sets, and charge accordingly. Besides the diehards here on the board (And we should all admit that when it comes to The Hip's reach, we are in the minority) Hip fans would likely be happy paying $100+ a ticket, if they get their money's worth. And for them, that's a set full of songs they can sing along to.
And where do people spend money easily? Casinos. I've been saying this for awhile. It's clear the band is keen on having a high standard of comfort while they tour, and casinos can provide that. I would not be surprised if eventually (Perhaps not on their next tour, but you never know) the band's tours are largely based in casinos across Canada. As their fanbase gets older, they have to accept that people in their 40's/50's/60's don't enjoy seeing the band in clubs/bars.
2-They did a ton more touring behind the quieter WATS, if I'm not mistaken. I don't think the band has the energy to play long sets of loud, rollicking tracks. So I can see their next record being a stripped-down affair, and touring the country's theatres. Of course, ticket prices will again reflect this.
Either way, I think we should all come to terms with the fact that we're not going to hear our Pigeon Cameras and our Terrariums in decent venues for decent prices anymore. The band's kids are likely entering (If not already enrolled) in post-secondary education, which is not cheap. Their medical bills are increasing. They require comfort when they tour.
It's unfortunate for many fans, sure. At the end of the day, the band is their primary source of income and they're going to be thinking about their families, first and foremost.
Escape Is At Hand-Tales of a Boy and a Band due June 2013 from Eternal Cavalier Press
http://eternalcavalierpress.com
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Yikes. I'm all for doing a stripped-down acoustic tour of theaters, but if they're just gonna turn into a dinosaur act trotting out the greatest hits at casinos, then you can count me out of any future Hip tours. To me that would mean they've basically thrown in the towel and become nothing more than a Tragically Hip tribute band. You don't see Blue Rodeo doing that crap, and they're roughly the same age as the Hip, with families as well. The Hip are better than that. We know it. They know it.
Personally I hope they take a nice long hiatus and disappear for a while. Something is definitely off with these guys right now (particularly with Gord), and I think they could use some serious time away from all things Hip. Paul can put his new record out and tour for a bit. Gord can put out another record with the Country of Miracles and hopefully rediscover the virtues of singing in key. Maybe they'll finally release the long rumored Sadies/Downie collaboration and he can tour with those guys for a while, just to do something different.
They also need to sit down with each other at some point and have a serious discussion about their recent setlist decisions. Especially if they want to hold onto their legendary reputation as a kick-ass live act (which they're barely clinging to right now after this recent summer tour). Robby is a gifted guitarist, but as a setlist writer he's creatively bankrupt. You wanna play the hits, that's fine. I understand that's what pays the bills, and I have no problem with that. But fer f--- sakes, at least throw the hardcore fans a bone or two and mix things up a little. You know, the people who have paid obscene amounts of money over the last 25 years buying your records, your merchandise, and attending your shows. Give that amazing back catalogue some much needed love and attention. As recently as 2009 the Hip were absolute masters at switching up the setlists and making every show unique. What exactly happened between the '09 tour and now is anyone's guess. But it's clear that somewhere along the line a decision was made to switch to a hits-laden "going-through-the-motions" style setlist with little to no surprises. For a band that was once the golden standard for setlist variation, this decision is absolutely baffling to me. Especially when you consider the treasure trove of brilliant material they have in their arsenal. I just don't understand it.
All that being said, I still think these guys are amazing songwriters, and I will continue to buy whatever new material they release. But until they fix their broken live show, I won't be spending any more money seeing them in concert. Their show in Calgary on Sept. 7th (my 37th Hip show) was very likely my last one. As a guy who has followed their career since 1989, it saddens me to say that.
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I wouldn't put the setlist blame soley on Baker. I'm sure anyone in the band on any given night can stand up and say, let's play this, or that or whatever... Most likely Downie has the most influence as he has to remember the words to some of the older songs which we've all seen he has a hard time doing on occasion. I'm pretty sure if Sinclair was still writing the setlists, they would have looked as similiar as they did this past summer. It was a collective decision I'm sure.
As for the taking time off. I think that would be the kiss of death. I think that's what's led them to this point, other interests, solo careers. With so much going on in their lives professionally, when they do get back together, the easiest thing is to play the songs they know "easiest" I guess.
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hopefully they will take this time to sit down and remaster, reissue and expand the old catalog......i'm going to beat this like a dead horse
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hip are dunzo
been saying this for a while
they have become a novelty act
no more improv
ever since gord started Choreographing his dance moved they have shit the bed
i am a huge fan, but just feel they are not that into it anymore
they need to get back to 95 style, no gimmicks just play the tunes!
Just my thought, but they are no where near the band they once were
hopefully they can get it together and put together a couple more rocking tours
if not hopefully they will release some soundboards from the 90's shows !
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I'm from Brighton and even as a huge Hip fan, it would've been a mistake. I couldn't justify $500k.. that's outrageous. In addition, unless they held it at the Brighton Speedway (..on a clay track..) or at Proctor Park (a fairly large but hilly park in town), there's nowhere that would support the number of people they'd need to break even.
Also, I'd feel like it's rewarding them for bad behaviour, y'know? Let the Canadian bands that are performing well and don't charge an arm and a leg show off their talents. Brighton's kind of behind the times so any band created in the past 20 years would be out.
Across The Causeway '04 | Big Music Fest '08 | Kingston '09 | Bobcaygeon '11 | Cobourg '13 | Bluesfest '13 | Danforth Music Hall '15 | Kingston '15 | Bluesfest '15 | Toronto I '16 | Toronto II '16 | Toronto III '16 | Hamilton '16 | Ottawa '16 | Kingston '16
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Ever since Gord picked up the guitar, it's been THE SAME SHOW again and again and again.
You can't even hear him play it ffs in concert.
And to play the guitar for NOIS, when you didn't play it during the recording of UP TO HERE, KILLS THE FUCKING SONG!
Gord: save the guitar for your solo work... I'm begging you as a huge fan..I CANT EVEN HERE YOU PLAY IT!!!
