Tragically Hip - Ottawa, ON September 28, 2009

Monday night I saw the 3rd of 3 Hip shows at the NAC in Ottawa. I was able to snag a 6th row seat a few months ago when they went on sale, so I was excited to finally see them in a venue where I could get this close. I've seen the Hip before at festivals and couldn't get anywhere close, plus having to deal with their drunken jock fans who need to high-five and point while they sing. Anyways...it was a good show overall, not epic, but good. I think some of this had to do with the band gaining and losing momentum. Over 3 nights each setlist is different so there may have been some experimentation, but some songs just didn't work in the mix. The crowd was a bit of a dud as well. I assume die-hards would go to these small shows, yet Gordie was working over time trying to get people to react. I'd say it was only about 3/4 in with Gord having to venture into the crowd at least 3 times before there was that fan adoration reception. I had fun though, and it was nice to see the Hip do some of their classic songs so well.

setlist:
01 - The Depression Suite
02 - New Orleans Is Sinking
03 - Don't Wake Daddy
04 - The Exact Feeling
05 - Pigeon Camera
06 - Morning Moon
07 - Fireworks
08 - The Dire Wolf
09 - In View
10 - At The Hundredth Meridian
11 - Love Is A First

01 - Boots Or Hearts*
02 - Flamenco*
03 - Scared*
04 - Springtime In Vienna
05 - Bobcaygeon
06 - Nautical Disaster
07 - Throwing Off Glass
08 - Now The Struggle Has A Name
09 - Poets
10 - Honey, Please
11 - My Music At Work
12 - Blow At High Dough

13 - Grace, Too
14 - Fire In The Hole

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a decent shot of the whole band because of the angle and lighting.

Gord in the crowd...he climbed out to the middle of the floor about.