Re: 2011-07-02 - Windsor, ON
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 5:27 pm
My wife and I throughly enjoyed this show. The venue and the crowd were big, positive influences on the performance. This was my first time seeing a show at the Colosseum at Casino Windsor. All 5000 seats were filled with young to middle-aged fans like myself. The staff, security and bar service were excellent. Huge lines for beer from the time doors opened. The wait for drinks wasn't extremely long. There were 7 large main floor sections on a flat floor with no sight line obstructions. Behind this was tiered seating which rose from the floor to the ceiling, approximately 30 rows high. As was mentioned, there wasn't a bad seat in the house. Everywhere I looked people stood and danced throughout the show. Having assigned seating allowed us to enjoy The Hip without having to "defend" our spot. The air conditioning was welcome on a humid, stormy 90 degree F evening. I was glad to see Gord D didn't request to have the A/C turned off as he has done in past summer shows I have seen.
I highly disagree with the Hip fans who say the band is just "mailing in" their performances. Yes, the setlist has been static for this summer tour. The band did mix up the order of play in the songs tonight. Not once did I see anyone in the band going through the motions. As has been mentioned, the musicianship and the delivery is outstanding. This was the best light show I have seen the band produce. No gimmicks or light tricks. Just good, well choreographed, intensely bright and mood enchancing. I agree that Gord D is slightly subdued. There were a couple of "mike stand rants" and little on stage antics. This show was about about good music and fine vocal delivery. I loved hearing the three new songs.
My wife and I were able to participate in a "meet & greet" after the show. About 30 fans were ushered to a small backstage room where all five band members appeared. The guys mingled and took pictures. I was able to speak with everyone for a few minutes:
Johnny Fay brought his 14 y.o. nephew from Kingston to the Downsview and Windsor shows. He is a novice dummer inspired by his uncle. The nephew told me one of his favorite drumming memories is when he played in a soundcheck with the band back in 2007. Johnny told me he was looking forward to spending some time with his wife up at a lake cottage.
Paul Langois and I spoke about his solo album. We talked about the songwriting process and the development he went through to find his solo singing voice. He mentioned he was surprised the actual tone he liked was so low. He did say he does sing at a higher octave than normal when he is harmonizing with Gord D.
Robbie Baker confirmed the band was traveling to some shows on a small 12 passenger jet because the summer tour schedule went back and forth across Canada. He said the band will travel by jet if necessary, and The Hip own 2 sets of identical gear which are trucked from show to show. One set of gear is always traveling ahead of the band to the next tour stop.
Gord S. and I spoke about his recent producing credits with The Trews. I also asked him if he was producing any of the new Hip material. He told me during the first writing session the band had created three self produced songs with all band members helping out. Since then he said the band has been working with a newly hired producer. He told me the guy's name and I promptly forgot it. Gord S. did say the new producer was on board for the three new songs being played live currently. Finally, he told me the band will be having another writing session in August. He felt the new album wouldn't be ready until 2012.
Gord D. showed up to the meet & greet wearing a 2011 Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Championship hat. I joked with him about the Stanley Cup finals. I told him I didn't know if I should root for his favorite team or for Vancouver because Ryan Kessler is from my home town. He laughed and said you know who to root for. I got a picture of him in his hat, but I wrecked it because the flash was off. I tried to edit the picture to improve the poor quality....
Enjoy! See you at Sarnia Bayfest.
I highly disagree with the Hip fans who say the band is just "mailing in" their performances. Yes, the setlist has been static for this summer tour. The band did mix up the order of play in the songs tonight. Not once did I see anyone in the band going through the motions. As has been mentioned, the musicianship and the delivery is outstanding. This was the best light show I have seen the band produce. No gimmicks or light tricks. Just good, well choreographed, intensely bright and mood enchancing. I agree that Gord D is slightly subdued. There were a couple of "mike stand rants" and little on stage antics. This show was about about good music and fine vocal delivery. I loved hearing the three new songs.
My wife and I were able to participate in a "meet & greet" after the show. About 30 fans were ushered to a small backstage room where all five band members appeared. The guys mingled and took pictures. I was able to speak with everyone for a few minutes:
Johnny Fay brought his 14 y.o. nephew from Kingston to the Downsview and Windsor shows. He is a novice dummer inspired by his uncle. The nephew told me one of his favorite drumming memories is when he played in a soundcheck with the band back in 2007. Johnny told me he was looking forward to spending some time with his wife up at a lake cottage.
Paul Langois and I spoke about his solo album. We talked about the songwriting process and the development he went through to find his solo singing voice. He mentioned he was surprised the actual tone he liked was so low. He did say he does sing at a higher octave than normal when he is harmonizing with Gord D.
Robbie Baker confirmed the band was traveling to some shows on a small 12 passenger jet because the summer tour schedule went back and forth across Canada. He said the band will travel by jet if necessary, and The Hip own 2 sets of identical gear which are trucked from show to show. One set of gear is always traveling ahead of the band to the next tour stop.
Gord S. and I spoke about his recent producing credits with The Trews. I also asked him if he was producing any of the new Hip material. He told me during the first writing session the band had created three self produced songs with all band members helping out. Since then he said the band has been working with a newly hired producer. He told me the guy's name and I promptly forgot it. Gord S. did say the new producer was on board for the three new songs being played live currently. Finally, he told me the band will be having another writing session in August. He felt the new album wouldn't be ready until 2012.
Gord D. showed up to the meet & greet wearing a 2011 Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Championship hat. I joked with him about the Stanley Cup finals. I told him I didn't know if I should root for his favorite team or for Vancouver because Ryan Kessler is from my home town. He laughed and said you know who to root for. I got a picture of him in his hat, but I wrecked it because the flash was off. I tried to edit the picture to improve the poor quality....
Enjoy! See you at Sarnia Bayfest.
