Singing, dancing and tears
The Tragically Hip gives the performance of a lifetime as the iconic Canadian band ends an era
It was an emotional day for Tragically Hip fans as the Canadian rock band got on stage for what fans fear was the last time.
Organizers estimate more than 5,000 people came out for CBC’s live broadcast of the concert ‘The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration’ at Victoria Park in Charlottetown Saturday night.
The crowd danced, sang along and even shed a few tears as they watched Gord Downie sing his heart out as the band performed their hit tunes over the course of three hours.
The band, which was formed in 1984, announced earlier this year that Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and that this summer would be their final tour.
Steve Jenkins of Stanhope remembers when he heard the news. He was driving home from Montreal listening to his iPod full of Hip songs, when he put on CBC radio and heard them talking about Downie’s diagnosis.
Jenkins said all his favourite songs went through his mind as he digested the information that this would be the end of an era.
“They were so true to Canada,” said Jenkins.
Jenkins bought the first album, titled The Tragically Hip, when it was released in 1987 and has accumulated 15 more albums over the years.
“It’s kind of cool, it feels like I have grown up with them.”
Jenkins said he really got hooked when he heard the song, ‘Blow At High Dough’ and went on to see them perform live twice.
“They are awesome. They are unbelievable. They are incredible.”
Jenkins said he had to be a part of the final concert since he couldn’t make it to Ontario where the band was performing their final concert.
The Hip was on their Man Machine Poem tour to celebrate their 14th studio album release in June, 2016. They kicked off on July 22 in Victoria B.C. and wrapped it up in Kingston Ont. Aug. 20.
There was nowhere else Shane Smith and Melissa Kivell wanted to be then watching this last performance.
The couple, who are in their mid-30s, have been Hip fans since they were in high school.
Smith has seen The Tragically Hip live about seven times and enjoys a lot of their older music, like the Road Apples album.
“You can relate to a lot of their stuff,” said Smith. “It makes you feel like they wrote it for you almost. They have a bunch of songs like that.”
Jen Parker, who is visiting P.E.I. from Halifax, said she felt it was important to take in Saturday’s live stream performance.
“It’s really an awesome experience to take part in something like this,” said Parker. “This is kind of an epic moment to be part of something here in Canada.”
Parker said their music speaks to such an encompassing audience and feels their music has helped a lot of people through the good and bad times in life.
Louise Vessey, of Charlottetown, said The Tragically Hip is a true Canadian act, like Rush and Bryan Adams.
Vessey, who has been a Hip fan for 20 years, said if she could say anything to Downie it would be ‘you are amazing’.
“I wish you all the best. I hope you don’t suffer and I’m glad you got to live a life you wanted to live,” said Vessey.
“Thanks (Downie). It’s been a ride,” said Parker.