NIAGARA FALLS —
If you were among the fans disappointed The Tragically Hip weren’t coming back to the area for a summer show (or series of shows) the folks at the Hard Rock Cafe have the next best thing for you: Gord Downie, the Hip’s revered lead singer will be taking the stage in downtown Niagara Falls this July — for free!
Downie’s show is the kickoff to a six-week series of free shows downtown that the Hard Rock is putting on in partnership with the City of Niagara Falls. The shows will be held at the new-look West End venue of Old Falls Street.
Downie’s show is also the bookend to a pretty good two days of free Canadian music if you’re taking in the Our Lady Peace show in Lockport on July 2.
Downie is touring in support of his third solo album “The Grand Bounce” is set to be released on June 8. It’s his first solo album since 2003. The Hip played a series of shows at Artpark three out of the past four summers. (They didn’t come to town in 2008).
The Saturday Hard Rock shows are a continuation of earlier downtown concert efforts. Eddie Money, Donna the Buffalo, Sugar Ray and Rusted Root took the stage for shows held in 2008 and 2009.
The shows also fill a void left by the demise of the Tonawanda canal concert series which also offered free big-name concerts.
In addition to Downie, the English Beat — “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Save it for Later” — will play July 10. The Beat most recent local appearance was two sold-out shows in Toronto in April of last year.
After a Pink Floyd-themed show from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Soul Asylum comes to town. The band, who’s last album was released in 2006, is said to be working on a new album, according to its Web site.
In addition to founding members, lead singer Dave Pirner and guitarist Dan Murphy, the band now features ex-Replacements bassist (and current Guns N’ Roses bassist) Tommy Stinson and former Prince drummer Michael Bland.
Former Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm follows that up. Gramm played Lockport’s Molson Canal Concert series in 2008.
The concert series finishes up with Tonic whose big hit “If You Could Only See” was released in 1996. The band has recently released a new self-titled album full of new material.
Night & Day
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Contributed photo
‘Tragic’ beginning to Hard Rock’s 2010 concert lineup
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