Bobcaygeon to the TDot

June 25, 2011: Tragically Hip plays Bobcaygeon with Sam Roberts and The Trews.

July 1, 2011: Tragically Hip plays Downsview Park, Toronto with Weezer.

Two days...one hell of a week.


"It was in Bobcaygeon"

The gates open at 3:00pm to myself and a crowd eager to indulge in spoils only blooming onions and beer tents can satisfy.

The venue offered the same selection of eats you might see at your local fairgrounds: half cooked hotdogs, grease pitas, "fruit" smoothies and a grab bag of other lustreless goodies. For the classier fans in attendance the beer gardens offered the finest boxed wine. The surprisingly fair price for all these amenities was the only treat.

As for the music, the concert took a complete 180. The sound was done exceptionally well. Miss Emily hit the stage, but who cares.

The Trews came out around the same time the sun poked out from behind the clouds and played a tight set with all the songs you hear on the radio. I'm not the biggest fan of The Trews but they were entertaining to watch as beach balls bounced across the growing sea of people crowding the stage. I was even lucky enough to catch a drumstick at the end of their set.

Sam Roberts exploded onto the stage breathing new life into the crowd. The far corners of the field were starting to fill in as Sam took the show to another level. With his jean jacket waving in the breeze he imposed his presence onto the growing number of fans. Sam Roberts killed it, period.

The sun began to set as 25,000 fans shouted, "Hip, hip, hip, hip." Out they came. Grace, Too was probably THE choice for a first song. The slow build up and heavy hitting chorus incorporated the stunning light show. The 47-year-old Gord Downie hasn't slowed down at all. He bounced around the stage dressed in a white shirt, black vest, thick rimmed bifocals and a unique straw hat all the while toting around a white bandana to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

The Hip played pretty much every popular song they've had over the years as well as some new material. They're not quite up to par with the timeless hits they've pumped out on the regular and the crowd for the most part was silent. It didn't seem like anyone knew how to react to the new material. Head bobbing was pretty much the goto.

The enthusiasm of the performers was the highlight of the show while the atmosphere was the  highlight of the day. There's nothing like being in the middle of nowhere with 25,000 people all gathered for the love of music.

"That night in Toronto"


I decided to buy a ticket last minute off of a fellow who was more than happy to rip a fellow Canadian off  the day before our great nation's annual celebration. Thanks to ya!


First off, the commute was a test of patience. Go train, to the subway, to the coach busses. Sounds simple but for someone who despises public transit it was enough to make a man lock lips the ground upon arrival.


The Hip came with the same...pretty much everything on Canada day but the atmosphere was definitely different. A younger, rowdier crowd was in attendance which led to a couple people needing the skills of the on site paramedics. As far as I could see dehydration was the culprit.

Speaking of liquids, the beer tents were working off of the dreaded beer ticket system. And at $8 a pop there was no leaving a ticket unused. Although it was crowded it was an efficient day for the beer tent visitors.

They offered the same food but I passed on the blooming onion this time around to try the hotdogs again. To my surprise: fully cooked. It was a good day.

I made it in time to see Broken Social Scene play a few songs but didn't get to experience the up-close and personal view. I was separated from my group the minute I made it into Downsview Park. Much of the time I could have spent watching the show was spent trying to find a friend.

I eventually rounded up a couple of us and made it down just before Weezer hit the stage. Hit the stage is somewhat of an understatement. Weezer KO'd that stage and left it broken bloody and bruised. Much of the Blue Album was looked over with some much appreciated exceptions (My Name is Jonas, Buddy Holly). They stuck to a lot of their newer stuff that would be more relevant to the younger crowd. Which was kind of a cop out but they made up for it with an exuberant cover of the Radiohead song Paranoid Android. Some people weren't familiar but you could tell who was very easily.

The Hip hit the stage at roughly 9:00pm. Just as the sun set from behind the stage. The lights lit up and Grace, Too rang from the speakers, here we go again.

The setlist was the same from Bobcaygeon but some songs were moved around. The same light show was in effect. Everything was pretty much the same even down to Gord Downie's attire and that white bandana.

The performance was brilliant. I found it hard to take my eyes off of Rob Baker's pieces of art that are called guitars and the enthusiasm these guys still have after years of playing the same material. Showmen to the core.

Canada Day at Downsview Park capped off with a fireworks display as fans sang Oh Canada in unison. What a day.

Both shows had highs and lows but what was the same was the overall joy and passion everyone had to be there in that moment. Whether it was the epic scenery of Bobcaygeon, or one of the best ways to spend Canada Day, people came together and enjoyed one of the greatest bands to come out of Canada.

Here's the best quality I could find. Props to g00se1987 (youtube) for capturing this performance.

Wish you could have been there, if not this is as good as it gets. (We were much closer)

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