The Tragically Hip at Shelburne Museum

All four Martins had a great time at Shelburne Museum this evening. The Tragically Hip were excellent, as usual, and the setting was a wonderful place to see a concert. It’s always kind of a surreal experience seeing The Hip here in Vermont because, although tonight’s gig was sold out, the venues and crowds are vastly smaller than what one would find in Canada. So, it always feels like a special treat getting to see them in such an intimate venue.

It was a great outdoor gig. As always with a Hip show, it seems, there were lots of dudes in ballcaps (my photo is Exhibit A), but this time there were also lots of families with kids and many people in their 40s and 50s who just wanted to see a great band on a gorgeous summer evening. Some people packed their own picnic dinners (I saw some rather elaborate gourmet meals going on) and other people packed the Magic Hat beer tent. Heroically, though, The Hip managed to transcend the diversions and the gorgeous scenery and captured the crowd’s hearts, ears, and minds. A perfect evening.