Last night The Tragically Hip made a pit stop at the Kitchener Aud on their way back from 2 sold out nights in Kirkland Lake over the weekend. They are set to play a big Canada Day Extravaganza at Molson Amphitheatre on July 1st with a more carnival type setting before the concert. Might be kinda cool to check out. BUT.. On this night there were no rides, no cotton candy it was all about the music.
This was my 41st time seeing the band so when you get to see the guys in a venue such as the Kitchener Aud you take it. This one reminded me of a show I saw about 13 years ago back in Mississauga at the Hershey Center with the same size venue and the fantastic sound. Last night you could hear every word that Gord spoke, yelled and screamed at times. As the guitar started in to the crowd stood with anticipation for the havoc that Gord Downie was about to bring to the stage. It wasn't till about the 6th song in until we hit the Fully Completely tracks and when rang over the speakers it was as if the crowd had erupted! Fully Completely is my favorite Hip Album with Road Apples being a close second so getting the chance to hear EVERY song off the album was a treat. For those die-hard hip fans it was the encore that the fellas played a song I hadn't heard live in a while and that was Boots and Hearts. I still never did ask Shannon at Republic Live if it this was the inspiration behind the name of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival or is it just coincidence? The night ended with the bands likely most beloved song Blow At High Doughand the crowd ate it up with the sing along song of the night. I would have to say last nights performace ranks in the top 10 of all the hip shows I have seen. Hard to top off the night in Bowmanville in the 90's when 35,000 jammed the Mosport Park for Edenfest that Saturday night was magical. Don't miss the boys magic this summer when they hit the stage at Ottawa's Bluesfest. The Hip still bring the party to each and every show. Till next time fellas.
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
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Well if your reading this you must really be bored... So I was born and raised in a small town and have a thirst for good Canadian Whiskey.