The Bahd Corner: That Night In Toronto…

Posted onAuthorMike The Bahd2 Comments

From Mike @ taggartntorrens.ca

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I got to experience my first and (possibly) last Tragically Hip show on Wednesday.

Like most Canadians, when I learned about Gordie’s illness, I was heart broken. A man that has brought so much joy and entertainment to this country was suddenly immortal. A band that defined the sound of a country was suddenly about to embark on a tour that every person in this great nation wanted to be a part of.

When the tour was announced, I put reminders on my phone to make sure to log onto Ticketmaster to get tickets. On the days when the tickets were on sale, I had my phone, my iPad, my laptop and my work laptop all queued up with the hopes that I could score 2 tickets. As the story goes, each time I was shut out within seconds of the tickets going on sale. I thought my chances were done.

The week before the last 3 Toronto shows, the band announced that they would be releasing a limited number of tickets through Ticketmaster 1 more time. Like clockwork, I tossed a reminder into my phone to log onto Ticketmaster 15 minutes before they went on sale. This time around though, I was just going to give my all through 1 computer thinking that my chances would be slim to none once again.

I got the reminder on my phone and logged on and started hitting the “Find Tickets” button like I had done 100s of times before. By this point, I could easily pick pictures of store fronts, noodles and grass that Ticketmaster tosses up to prove that you are an actual human. I still didn’t think I had a chance, but I owed it to myself to give it one more try.

When the clock struck 1pm, I hit the “Find Tickets” button… and 2 tickets popped up. My heart stopped – this wasn’t supposed to happen. How could this have happened!? Did I actually just get tickets to see The Hip?! My hands literally started shaking – I couldn’t believe my luck.

Then it was gone.

Instead of hitting the purchase option, I hit the “Find Tickets” button like I had 100s of time before. I just watched my chance at seeing one of my favourite bands ever disappear. Imagine someone handing you a 100 dollar bill – and instead of putting it in your wallet, you drop it in a sewer drain. I was at work while I was doing this, and I literally yelled out “shit” in my office. My heart sank.

So I started clicking “Find Tickets” like crazy, hoping that my stupid mistake could be corrected. And I kept on getting the “No Tickets Found” message like I had 100s of times before. I thought it was done.

Then I hit 2 tickets again. As soon as I did, I took my hand off my mouse and just stared at the screen. I couldn’t believe it – after spending so much time trying to get tickets, on this day I got TWO chances to get them. When the second set popped up, I didn’t make the same mistake as the first time and I hit purchase. I finally got my chance to see The Hip in my hometown.

After a few hours of letting everything sink in, I message my bahd Wes (who you all know as the Mayor Of Greenback from the pod and radio show) and asked him if he would be my date to show. Without hesitation, he agreed.

The day of the show, I met Wes down at Union Station in Toronto. We were both clad in Taggart And Torrens gear and ready to experience something incredible. Before we headed over to the Air Canada Centre, we ventured around Toronto trying to find a bar/pub/anywhere to grab a few pre-show pints. This proved harder than anticipated – not only was The Hip in down, but the Jays were also playing. Every bar was at least an hour wait to sit down in.

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We hit the jackpot with a little irish pub under the Loose Moose on Front Street – we were able to score 1 barstool at the end of the bar, so being the gentleman that Wes is, he let me sit while he stood and we enjoyed a few

frosty solders. We talked about TnT, The Hip, Baseball, Tinder, the Olympics – it was a TIME.

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After a few pints, we decided it time was time to head down to the ACC. We made our way down to Maple Leaf Square and took in the sites and sounds. There was a video booth setup to allow fans to send a message to the band, which we both took the opportunity to do.

We made out way to the gates to check in – we both hand over our tickets and see a big red X on the ticket scanner. The person scanning our tickets tells us that we need to go over to a table inside the ACC to talk to someone about this. While we are walking over, both Wes and I have no idea why the tickets didn’t scan. They were bought on Ticketmaster, my name was one them – they were legit. When we get over to the table, a woman asks us to hand over our tickets which we both do. After we do, she starts to flip through a series of envelopes and pulls one out.

She starts to explain that there was an issue with our tickets – they were never to have been sold in the first place as the section we had tickets for (right behind the stage) was under construction. She proceeds to tell us that we’ll have seats for the show, but instead of being behind the stage, we will actually be in a box at the top of the ACC. The box would provide us free pizza, popcorn, pop and private bar for adult drinks. And that for the hassle, they will be giving us free programs for the show. Wes and I both look at each other and proceed to give each other a massive hug.

How does this happen?! How do we go from not being able to get tickets, to finally getting tickets, losing them because I was too trigger happy with my mouse, to getting a second chance at getting them and then getting to see the show from a private box!?

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After we realize what has finally happened, we strap ourselves in for what I can only explain as being one of the most memorable moments of my life. The Hip were ON POINT. Every song, every lyric hit home like never before. This was something that I had never experienced at a concert before. It wasn’t a show, it was a life experience. I know I can speak for Wes in saying that we were extremely fortunate to get a chance to see Canadianity at its finest. It was night that both of us will never forget.

That bahds… is Canadianity.

2 Replies to “The Bahd Corner: That Night In Toronto…”

  2. Brilliantly written, Mike. Tears in my eyes and I can’t think of two better, more deserving bahds to be surprised with an upgrade like that. Everything happens for a reason. 🙂

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