The Hip In Kensington

picture from the Hip's facebook So on Saturday I saw an old friend of mine post something on facebook about the Tragically Hip showing up in Kensington Market on Sunday afternoon. There weren't really any details whatsoever beyond posting a picture of the place where they were playing, which was meaningless to me on account of I don't usually go anywhere ever and don't know the city I've lived in for three years (runoff sentence...). However, Lauren recognized the place and we decided that that would be a marvellous way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

I hadn't seen the Hip since the first time I saw them play, 8 years ago at their Across The Causeway show in Kingston. Hometown, mofo! I've been feeling incredibly homesick lately, and even though I only actually lived in Kingston for 9 months before coming to Toronto, it's always felt more like home than anywhere else. The sudden presence here of not only the most Canadian, but the most back-home band I've ever known is definitely enough to hold back the homesickness until this weekend at Thanksgiving.

Lauren and I walked there from Spadina station, which is always a slightly longer distance than I remember it being, but we got to see some awesome trees in full fall form. Autumn is without a doubt my favourite season, and it can be hard to find a place to really enjoy it in this city, so on the off chance that I come across any sight of it, it's instantly the best thing in the world.

Being the impatient people that we are, Lauren and I wandered off to a small little park to hang out for a bit while we waited for the show to start. Once we got back, the crowd had started to grow significantly. By the time the band took the stage, I was on my toes and falling over (this here lady is a short one!) trying to get a picture of the guys.

They were playing mini sets (consisting of three songs each) every hour. I can't really recall what the set list was like. With the Hip, it doesn't matter. Everything is good. I find their shows to be about enjoying the atmosphere of the moment, more than the details. The same can be said for their music in general, too, or at least that's the case for those of us who have grown up with them constantly in the background of our lives.

Between the first two sets, we wandered elsewhere to hang out in a setting where we could actually sit down and give our legs a rest. It was good to be doing what I always do, but not be sat in my living room while doing it. I say this all the time and rarely take heed of my own suggestions, but I really do need to get out more often.

On our way back for the second round, we came across completely different music styles at every street corner. No wonder people like Sundays in the market (was my first time being there for it), and if it weren't for the way-too-many-people factor, I would probably be there every week. When we got back to the venue, I had a slightly better vantage point for picture taking, though only of Gordon Downie. After their second set, we got pizza and made our way back home.

Easily one of the better days I've had this year. Hope you all had a good weekend, too!

Do you like the Tragically Hip? Do you have a band that makes you homesick even when you'r home?