The Tragically Hip – Concert Review New York City November 2012

The Tragically Hip in NYC – November 2012

Nov 12 2012 – The Tragically Hip rolled into New York City on Saturday November 10 2012,  and played to a packed house of Hip faithful at Terminal 5, located in Hell’s Kitchen. Many Hip fans in Canada now rarely get the opportunity to see The Hip in a venue that they were meant to be seen in, so I considered myself lucky when I found myself in town for this event. For those fans based in Toronto, the Sound Academy is probably the best comparison … so you Toronto-based Hip fans know what I mean when I say this was a very special event for a Hip fan.

The Tragically Hip in NYC – November 2012

The band is 4 dates into a US tour in support of their latest album, ‘Now For Plan A’, and they were assertive and not shy about showcasing tracks from the new album, beginning the night with ‘At Transformation’, the initial release from their latest effort. ‘At Transformation’ captures the essence of The Hip’s sound, resuming their core of growling, layered bass and guitars powered by Langlois, Baker and Sinclair, on top of a consistent and aggressive Johnny Fay drum beat. Add to this, Gord Downie’s unique vocals that range from a ghetto sounding, almost secret storytelling tone, to a sun beam through the clouds crescendo of a chorus where he wants “to help you lift enormous things”… And you have the familiar, but up to date, contemporary Tragically Hip sound that their fans have come to know and love. The band, justifiably proud, played plenty of tracks from their new release through the night including: ‘Man Machine Poem‘, ‘The Look Ahead‘, and ‘We Want To Be It‘, a softer song with more personal based lyrics from Downie. 

The Tragically Hip in NYC – November 2012

The already energized crowd appeared to find yet another gear when the band got to ‘Ahead By a Century‘ followed by flurry of Hip classics including ‘Poets‘, ‘Giftshop‘, ‘El Dorado’ and the more poppy ‘In View‘. The band ended the initial set with the new, but appropriate, ‘Goodnight Attawapiskat‘. All new material was very well received by the Hip faithful who appeared to be already sufficiently familiar with the one month old latest release.

The Tragically Hip in NYC – November 2012

The Hip returned to the stage with an encore set that made the evening truly a night to remember for Hip fans. Resuming the night with ‘At the Hundredth Merdian‘, ‘Bobcaygeon‘, ‘Nautical Disaster‘, ‘Fiddlers Green‘, ‘Courage‘, fans’ batteries were easily maintained at full charge. The band finally ended their 2 hour epic performance with the high powered ‘Blow at High Dough‘, leaving the faithful to spill onto the streets with enthusiasm that could power the lights of Manhattan. 

The Tragically Hip in NYC – November 2012

Mixed into the evening were classics from the past that fans just couldn’t help trying to outcry Gord Downie on vocals, who made it clear he owned the mic and was lead character in this show. In all seriousness, Downie’s animated theatrics may have been just as well received in an off Broadway musical as they were in Hell’s Kitchen. Truly the ever-energetic, captivation king front man was in top form this evening and the crowd could not get enough of it the Hip music that levitated him. Other memorable antics included Downie in the wake of the election asking for 10 electoral college seats for the rest of the world, and indicating he would settle for two, referring to this as ‘Canadian compromise’, jokingly laughing at his comment. Downie also incorporated New York, New York leg kicks and hand waves into this exclusive New York City show. 

The Tragically Hip in NYC – November 2012

Hip songs referencing the city of New York, including ‘Flamenco’, and ‘Escape is at Hand for the Travelling Man‘ were ensured to be in the set list and added to the memorable, distinctively New York evening with The Hip. New York is obviously special place for the Tragically Hip. And in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and sensing the band was partly serving as a distraction, Downie, wearing a poppy-pinned trilby hat this Remembrance Day eve, did not waste the opportunity to inform patrons of charities available to help NY and NJ area victims.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the Tragically Hip’s new movie scheduled for release in the next week, ‘The Tragically Hip in Bobcaygeon’.

The Tragically Hip in NYC – November 2012

Verdict – 4.5 out of 5 – This evening reasserted The Tragically Hip’s legendary live performance band status. This band works just as hard today as in any time in their 20 plus year history to put on a great live show and they are as tight as ever. If you do get the chance to see The Hip at a small venue, do NOT miss the opportunity! This band and their live performances are built for intimate venues and this is the way The Hip were meant to be seen.