The Tragically Hip announce European Tour

It’s been over seven years since this Canadian group has played in Europe.  And this announcement of gigs has four stops on the British Isles.

11/23/09 Effenaar: Eindhoven, NL

11/25/09 Oosterpoort: Groningen, Holland

11/26/09 Tivoli: Utrecht, Holland

11/27/09 Paradiso: Amsterdam, Holland

11/29/09 Ancienne Belgique: Brussels, Belgium

11/30/09 Forum: London, GB

12/02/09 Academy 3: Manchester, GB

12/03/09 The Garage: Glasgow, GB

12/04/09 The Village: Dublin, IE

The Tragically Hip on stage in Hamilton, Ontario

I had the pleasure of seeing The Hip live at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada back in 2000. 

They are an amazing band on stage with some killer roots-rock tunes and unique lyrics.  They also actively encourage bootlegging.

The Tragically Hip, is Gordie Downie (vocals), Bobby Baker (guitar), Paul Langlois (guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass) and Johnny Fay (drums).

The band released its debut, self-titled album in the late 80s but it wasn’t until their second release Up to Here that they started receiving critical acclaim. The album included staple Hip tunes like “New Orleans is Sinking” and “Blow at High Dough”.

The band was embraced by their fellow Canucks for its steady rock riffs and ballads that predominantly featured Canadian themed lyrics – “Bobcaygeon”, “38 Years Old” and “Forty Mission Cap” to name a few.

Its 1993 release, Fully Completely, awarded them some US crossover attention, mainly in bordering states like Michigan and New York. The band started touring across the Midwest of America and secured a spotlight on popular comedy sketch programme, Saturday Night Live, in 1995.

Its sixth album, Phantom Power, produced hits in the form of “Fireworks” and “Poets” and the Hip were booked for Woodstock 1999. The band also performed at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic games in 2002.

Over the course of their nearly two decade long recording career, The Tragically Hip has built up an impressive array of accomplishments despite not having blatant, mainstream success. On the other hand, it’s reported that the band has never really sought that international attention.

While the band sells out arenas in their native Canada, other tours in America or Europe consist of smaller, intimate venues. Some of the accolades awarded to The Hip by the Canadian market include a star of the Canadian Walk of Fame, numerous Juno awards and an induction to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.