06/22/09: Orpheum Theatre: Vancouver, BC

[sean.bonner]

Post your review.

[restlesssoul]

any pre party plans for the first vancouver show?

[restlesssoul]

if anybody wants to meet up and have some drinks, lets do it. i will be with some people that have been going since portland, and some other friends, when i find out where or what bar we will be at i will let you all know....would love to meet some hip fans....

[miles_hi]

here's hoping they will do emperor penguin

1st time i will be going to 1 show of 3 ...stupid recession

[Tthip]

http://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainme ... story.html
REVIEW
Tragically Hip
Monday night, Orpheum Theatre
Also Tuesday and Wednesday

Concert review: Fans connect at The Hip
By Graeme McRanor, The Vancouver Sun

Given the Tragically Hip’s stature in this country, one wouldn’t be surprised to find out that, in lieu of pledging allegiance to our flag, new citizens could instead choose to recite a verse from any of the Kingston, Ontario-quintet’s vast catalogue of songs.

Everything is bleak/It's the middle of the night/You're all alone/And the dummies might be right …

Welcome to Canada, eh?

It’s simple, really: Canadians connect at the Hip. It’s in our genes. Like rolled-up rims and rockered blades.

Which is why the band, together now for more than a quarter of a century, can still sell out a trio of shows at the Orpheum Theatre.

Touring in support of the Bob Rock-produced We Are the Same, released in April and the band’s twelfth studio album, the boys ambled on to the sparse, blue-lit stage Monday night and offered up two no-frills sets that seemed slightly incongrous compared with the ornate decor of the venue.

The diverse crowd (with an above-average number of receding hairlines) jumped to its feet as Downey and Co. launched into some new material, then stood, trapped between rows of plush red seats, for the entire show.

Which is why the Orpheum, beautiful as it is, shouldn't be used for rock shows.

It's kind of like having the band play at your grandma's house.

No matter: Downey, white hankerchief draped over his left shoulder, mentioned it was the band's first time playing the place before quipping that he had to take a cab from his microphone to get a drink. Then, with guitar slung low, they started into "Gift Shop."

"Life is too short for bad coffee," Downey said as they segued into "Coffee Girl."

The acoustics were great (almost good enough to forget you're standing in an antique) and the Hip, as usual, were tight.

With the band clearly saving most of its classics for the second set, the crowd gave New Orleans Is Sinking and 100th Meridian the most enthusiastic responses of the first hour.

"Go smoke your smokes, pee your piss and look at the night sky," Downey said at the conclusion of the set. "We'll be right back!"

Hey, What can you say about the Tragically Hip? Well, as another Kingston boy, Don Cherry might observe, "They're good old Canadian Boys!"


Special to The Sun

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[kieffer]

Did the author really spell Gord's last name wrong multiple times?

[The Heron Outside]

Typical Hip review. I know I stuck up for newspaper writers a few weeks ago, but man, this is inexcusable. The dude obviously knows how important the band is to Canada, yet he can't even bother to spell the lead singer's name right, or mention the other five members of the band?

(Clearly I'm just bitter I didn't get assigned to this show)

[thebends]

Did the author really spell Gord's last name wrong multiple times?

These is shaymfull form an reespectabel Canadien news papre.

[The Heron Outside]

Did the author really spell Gord's last name wrong multiple times?

These is shaymfull form an reespectabel Canadien news papre.

To be fair, they did correctly spell his name in the print version this morning. But still.

[tfoe]

Great Show last night...still can't hear after the loudest and most kick ass version of Springtime in Vienna EVER!! The venue and crowd were a bit dissapointing though. I was in row 4 and as soon as the show started the majority of the people around us actually sat down...WTF!! It took about half of Depression Suite(opener) to get the majority back up on their feet. However, there were 4 or 5 people in the front row that never stood up. Gord called them out a few times commenting once that it, "is you guys I'm worried about" while pointing at them.

Highlights:

1.Springtime (blew my ears out)
2. The longest 100th I've seen in 10 shows!!
3. The Last Recluse is amazing live
4. Wheat Kings accoustic...Thank you Gentleman
5. The Depression Suite is very intense (not sure it works as an opener though)
6. Struggle...Gord in the crowd singing directly to us and many others. One of my top Hip moments!!
7. Nautical...need I say more!!!

[RedMosquito]

Maybe a few things missing(pretty sure it is complete though) and Im not 100% where IAGLIYDW fits in but here is the set list hopefully in the correct order....

Depression Suite
In View
Giftshop
Coffee Girl
Fireworks
Morning Moon
NOIS
IAGLIYDW
Exact Feeling
100th Meridian
Love is a First

*Intermission*

Courage *
Thompson Girl *
Wheat Kings *
Nautical Disaster
The Last Recluse
Springtime In Vienna
Gus
Thugs
Lonely end of the Rink
Now the Struggle has a Name
Twist My Arm
Little Bones

*Encore Break*

Frozen in my Tracks
Blow at High Dough

[restlesssoul]

i will completely agree that the crowd was very un-inspirirng last night and those people in the front row sitting the whole show? bullshit...im glad gord called them out, and they still stayed seated. im in row 2 tonight...i will be ripping it..... Gord coming into the crow was his attempt at getting the crowd into it...that was cool. id say the highlight of the show for me this time was the stellar 3 song acoustic we got.....really great...setlist was very similar to Seattle so im hoping for a new one tonight...cant wait.


pics:







TWIST MY ARM PARTIAL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0roHZFBNbc


and here is a shot at Gord telling those people he's worried about them for sitting down the whole night:

[restlesssoul]

i was the guy in the blue jays jersey last night...tonight i will be in a canucks blue jersey row 2, come say hi....



see you tonight!

[pprusha]

The Vancouver first night show looks similar to the first night Victoria show. Does anybody have the set list?

People sat during the Depression Suite in Victoria too. We just stood up and blocked their view To those four people sitting in the front row the entire show, did you think you were going to the opera?

[Tthip]

The Vancouver first night show looks similar to the first night Victoria show. Does anybody have the set list?

Besides the switch of Fireworks and Twist My Arm between the 1st and 2nd set - both Vancouver and Victoria are identical.
Vancouver #1
Victoria #1