The Tragically Hip – The Forum, London 30/11/09

For one night only, Kentish Town became a part of Canada. Hockey Shirts, toques, the works. In their native land, The Tragically Hip are not just another band, they are an institution. Simply put, they are one of the most successful Canadian acts of all time. In the 26 years they have been together there is little they have failed to achieve in their native land. Yet, outside of Canada they have yet to make such an impact. Indeed, you could probably count the number of non-Canadian’s at the show on your fingers and toes. Why this is remains a mystery: their 26 year career has been built upon their live show, and tonight they show exactly why that is. For a start, there is no support act. Or rather there is, but it’s The ‘Hip themselves, performing mostly material from latest album We Are The Same before coming back to belt through the hits, including a special guest appearance from fellow stadium blue collar rocker Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics.

Yet it is frontman Gord Downie to whom the night truly belongs. A perma grinning live-wire, his antics are a sight to behold: For a great deal of the first half of the show he appears to be engaged in a session of rhythmic gymnastics: a multitude of handkerchiefs are variously wafted around, volleyed in to the crowd, used to polish photographers lenses or draped upon his face at different times of the set. He scrambles eagerly into the crowd as they sing along with the hits at the top of their lungs, pausing to allow for fan photos and that extra, sweaty embrace. At one point he even holds aloft a stage monitor (an act which he may later have regretted, dropping it on himself and requiring assistance from security). The music they produce is not revolutionary: just well honed, no frills rock’n’roll with the occasional twist; modern rock writ large. Yet the energy and passion with which it is delivered, and the devotion that inspires added up is truly remarkable.