Jumping up and down, Alice Greenbird-Shortt, proudly displayed her Tragically Hip tickets to those still waiting in line at Budweiser Gardens.
Greenbird-Shortt was the first to purchase tickets to the Canadian band's sold out August 8 show in London when they went on sale at 11am Friday.
Being the first in line was a group effort between the Kettle Point resident and her friends and family.
"My friend, Sarah, originally got in line Wednesday night. We did shift work and between her daughter Charlotte, my aunt Gina, my sister Amy, and I we held the first place in line," says Greenbird-Shortt. "Sarah wanted to do this so I did it for her. Sarah and her daughter stayed Wednesday night, we came Thursday night at about 11pm until now."
The Hip's "Man Machine Poem” tour is widely expected to be the band's last as lead singer, Gord Downie, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in December.
Tickets sold out very quickly for some of the summer shows, including the London show. Budweiser Gardens says it sold out in 22 minutes. The facility's Twitter account tweeted, "Hip Fans: There are currently no tix available for the Aug 8 show @BudGardens. Please check back as more tix can become available closer to."
Greenbird-Shortt isn't surprised about the demand for tickets as the band's songs hit close to home.
"A lot of their lyrics they are telling stories and telling the truth about life. They're a great Canadian band. I've always enjoyed the Hip," says Greenbird-Shortt.
This was the first time Greenbird-Shortt had ever camped out for tickets. She says the comradery that was formed between her and the other 100 fans in line was fantastic.
"Everybody was hyped up. Screaming, yelling, chanting 'Hip, Hip, Hip," says Greenbird-Shortt. "It was just good energy all night long into this morning."
Jimmy Phillips is an experienced concert ticket camper, having done so in the past for Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and the Hip's 2013 concert. He and his friend joined the line-up at 5:30am Friday, walking away with a combined eight tickets.
"Some are for co-workers," says Phillips. "My uncle is my boss so I've got to help him out."
He says as long as you come prepared, waiting hours for tickets is easy.
"Make sure you've got water, food, and there is a Tim Horton's right across the street. Make sure you've got a friend who can hold your spot while you make coffee runs," says Phillips.
Roughly half an hour after tickets went on sale to the public, tickets to the London show began appearing on StubHub at inflated prices ranging from $305 to $2,623.
The Hip's tour kicks off on July 22 in Victoria, BC and wraps up on August 20 in Kingston.
