[chives]

Hey folks,

Not proud to admit it, but man enough to do it. I went to the Bon Jovi concert on Saturday night in Toronto (actually took my wife for her birthday, so its not as if I went on my own accord, and I did owe her since she spent two nights in the sweaty Odeon in Cleveland with me and friends in 2002 to see the Hip). On the way to the ACC, all I heard on the radio was how "people thought only U2 could sell out 4 shows in Toronto" as they did in September, and now Bon Jovi proved they can do it too. Of course my wife couldn't help rub this in my face, noting the Hip haven't done it. And although my immediate response was, they don't need to do it, it did get me thinking as to why they don't? They did two shows on the Evening with tour, two shows on NYE and NYD 1999/2000, so why not go full steam with at least three shows? Of course there is no debating a die hard Bon Jovi fan when comparing them to the Hip, so I didn't even try, especially when its my wife. But you know what? It wasn't a bad show. I don't care for his style or brand of music, but it was an energetic show and I was entertained. There said it, let the lynching begin. Does anyone else share this thought with me? If they are the largest band in Canada, why not show everyone? U2 did it, Bon Jovi did it, the Stones can easily do it, let the Hip do it. I know its not like them to go out and prove anything to anyone, but it would prove alot to people, and it would keep my wife quiet for now anyways!

[cferneyh]

Hey folks,

Not proud to admit it, but man enough to do it. I went to the Bon Jovi concert on Saturday night in Toronto (actually took my wife for her birthday, so its not as if I went on my own accord, and I did owe her since she spent two nights in the sweaty Odeon in Cleveland with me and friends in 2002 to see the Hip). On the way to the ACC, all I heard on the radio was how "people thought only U2 could sell out 4 shows in Toronto" as they did in September, and now Bon Jovi proved they can do it too. Of course my wife couldn't help rub this in my face, noting the Hip haven't done it. And although my immediate response was, they don't need to do it, it did get me thinking as to why they don't? They did two shows on the Evening with tour, two shows on NYE and NYD 1999/2000, so why not go full steam with at least three shows? Of course there is no debating a die hard Bon Jovi fan when comparing them to the Hip, so I didn't even try, especially when its my wife. But you know what? It wasn't a bad show. I don't care for his style or brand of music, but it was an energetic show and I was entertained. There said it, let the lynching begin. Does anyone else share this thought with me? If they are the largest band in Canada, why not show everyone? U2 did it, Bon Jovi did it, the Stones can easily do it, let the Hip do it. I know its not like them to go out and prove anything to anyone, but it would prove alot to people, and it would keep my wife quiet for now anyways!

Bon Jovi eh?

Well, my guess would be that since the Hip generally tour every couple of years and generally hit multiple spots in Ontario it's a function of supply and demand. When was the last time Bon Jovi was in Toronto (other than "too recently")? U2 tours what, once every five years? Is Bon Jovi playing Ottawa? London?

And how can the Hip be expected to compete with this?

An angel’s smile is what you sell
You promise me heaven, then put me through hell
Chains of love got a hold on me
When passion’s a prison, you can’t break free

You’re a loaded gun
There’s nowhere to run
No one can save me
The damage is done

Shot through the heart
And you’re to blame
You give love a bad name
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name
You give love a bad name

Paint your smile on your lips
Blood red nails on your fingertips
A school boy’s dream, you act so shy
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye

You’re a loaded gun
There’s nowhere to run
No one can save me
The damage is done

:lol:

[skippy the wonder dog]

I hear Jon Bon Jovi's ticket-sales penis is bigger than Gord Downie's ticket-sales penis.

See the bull moose checking out another's rack
There's no point in this....

[chives]

ok, ok, i get the tongue in cheek stuff, i hear you about the touring so often gig, but do you think the hip can sell out the ACC at least two-three nights, every two years say? yeah the Bon Jovi show was cougar heaven no doubt, a bunch of 40+ women, dressed up to the nine, screaming about songs from 20 years ago, but I have to believe the Hip should be able to do this every two years when they tour, in mostly every major Canadian city.. (minus the women screaming about how tight Gord's ass, or maybe they would, I don't know)

[Lizard King]

I hear Jon Bon Jovi's ticket-sales penis is bigger than Gord Downie's ticket-sales penis.

See the bull moose checking out another's rack
There's no point in this....

Thats one of the funniest posts Ive ever read.. :lol: And I agree, who cares if they can do it? There's nothing to prove anymore.

[Shane Kroeker]

Nooooo!! We just got rid of the google ads at the bottom of the page advertising Bon Jovi tickets. I believe that Hipbase should be free of Bon Jovi threads. We shouldn't even be saying Bon Jovi... from now on any talk of that band shall be written B** J***.

[tigerthelion]

Nooooo!! We just got rid of the google ads at the bottom of the page advertising Bon Jovi tickets. I believe that Hipbase should be free of Bon Jovi threads. We shouldn't even be saying Bon Jovi... from now on any talk of that band shall be written B** J***.

Touche.

I've got an ad for 'Simple Minds' on the bottom right now though.

[patiodweller]

Well I too was at the Bon Jovi show Saturday. As I was when they were in Montreal. Their live show is up there. One of the best, most energetic and loudest crowds going. Jon Bon Jovi works the crowd so well and like the HIP give the fans their money's worth and than some each and every time. They can sell out 4 shows in Toronto because they are BON JOVI. They are in the same league as U2, Aerosmith, AC-DC, and Metallica when it comes to record sales and world-wide popularity and universal appeal albeit more to females, certainly most of the crowd was female, but there are more males than females at a HIP concert and the females that are at HIP concerts are often taken their by their dates.... So it's two very different styles and situations. The HIP have and could sell out 2 Toronto shows. For them to sell out 4 shows, that would be possible under 3 scenerios. 1)they drop off the face of the earth for several years and than all of a sudden come back and do 4 shows in Toronto (the hype would be immeasurable!) 2)they do a tour where they have different opening acts at each show. And 3) Bon Jovi is opening for them.

[tigerthelion]

I'm pretty sure The Hip couldn't sell out 4 shows today. What about their peak around the mid nineties? They might have had a far greater chance back then.

[Rye]

I'm pretty sure The Hip couldn't sell out 4 shows today. What about their peak around the mid nineties? They might have had a far greater chance back then.

I agree. This is especially true when you look at how may times they play Toronto when a new disc is out. In the last five years, not counting secret club shows on the eve of new album releases they must have played Toronto ten times. You have your diehards that go every time but don't forget there is the "I have to see this band before I die" factor for casual fans of the radio singles.

The last time The Hip were in Winnipeg they drew 11,000 people. I have a feeling this would have been even lower had it not been for the MTS Center being brand new at the time. If I recall correctly the Toronto show on the IBE tour at ACC didn't even sell out until a few weeks before the show. For the majority of Canada The Hip's drawing power peaked during the Henhouse tour where they had to add second shows in a few markets other than Toronto.

[crewgirl]

Why don't you just petition them? That's what we did in Moncton & they came!

[HipFan1]

I find that The Hip are a group that you either hate or you like.

The Tragically Hip though have sold out Sarnia Bayfest twice. The first time they were at Bayfest they were sold out in two days. hock:
The second time it took longer, but they did it.

I heard mixed review from even the biggest fans in Sarnia, some saying that they love the music but they don't like Gord's Antics.

Me and my friend are watching "That Night in Toronto" and he hates the parts where he starts talking to the microphone. He still wants to go to a concert though because he's never been to a Hip concert.

[joshwayy]

Back in high school Boston sold out 9 shows in Worcester Mass...