Fans agree. The Hip's still hip (30 photos)
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 by: Donna Hopper
"Great show in the Soo!!! and the Arkells rocked it too!!"
"Thoroughly enjoyed the concert last night and came home with a great souvenir - a drumstick from Johnny Fay. Thank you!"
"Spectacular show!! Thank you for playing Sault Ste. Marie!!! Love you!!"
"Blew the roof off the Essar Centre in the Soo tonight!! Unreal setlist, great show. THANK YOU!!!"
The above sentiments of adoration and gratitude were posted to the Tragically Hip's official Facebook page following the band's appearance at the Essar Centre last evening.
Approximately 2,500 devoted Sault Hip followers attended the second-last stop of the current tour, significantly less than the band's last appearance here six years ago which drew a near-sold out audience of 4,500.
Regardless, the Hip's career-spanning setlist more than satisfied with Canadian classics such as Grace Too, Gift Shop, Ahead By A Century, New Orleans Is Sinking, Courage, Bobcaygeon, Nautical Disaster, and Wheat Kings.
Selections (including At Transformation, Man Machine Poem, and We Want To Be It) from the band's October 2012 release Now For Plan A, which peaked at No. 3 on the Canadian Albums Chart, reminded old school fans that the Tragically Hip remain relevant and strong in the song writing department after 30 years in the industry.
With 13 studio albums under its belt, earning 14 Juno Awards, a star on Canada's Walk of Fame, and a Governor General Performing Arts Award, the Tragically Hip is quintessentially 'Can-rock' and never boring to behold despite front man Gordon Downie's bemusing and often rambling non-sequiturs.
Joining the Hip on this tour are the Hamilton-based Arkells, winners of the New Group of the Year Juno Award in 2010, who dished out more than enough warm-up energy.
For more information about the Tragically hip, please click here
To learn more about the Arkells, visit the band here
