Since The Tragically Hip started their tour in support of their most recent release World Container I've had the pleasure to see them every couple of months along the way. By the time they pulled into Artpark in Lewiston, NY for a two night stand they were official road warriors and a band in peak form. On July 1st the second night of their stay which also happened to be Canada Day the band put on a riveting show. Hitting the stage promptly and blasting right into "The Lonely End of the Rink" they wasted no time turning the crowd into a frenzy as the slinky groove of "New Orleans Is Sinking" pounded out of the speakers next. "Courage" had the entire crowd singing out the chorus to the delight of front man Gord Downie. Downie was in fine form commanding the stage with his animated gestures and acrobatic leaps. Other highlights of the nineteen song set include "The Drop Off", "Family Band", and "Daredevil", "Bobcaygeon", "Poets" and "Don't Wake Daddy". They closed the set with stellar takes of "Locked in the Trunk of a Car" and "Fire in the Hole". They returned for a three song encore including "In View" and a playfully sadistic "Little Bones". One of the best shows this summer and one of the better performances I've seen from The Hip. For more on The Tragically Hip go to www.thehip.com