The Tragically Hip is doing a truly final tour given the diagnosis of incurable brain cancer for frontman Gord Downie. Tickets sold out quickly for the Man Machine Poem tour. If you didn't get a chance to be there in person, you can still catch the final Tragically Hip show.
The concert from the band's hometown of Kingston, Ontario will start Saturday at 8:30 pm Eastern on CBC Television, CBC Radio One, CBC Radio 2, cbcmusic.ca, and CBC's YouTube channels. The YouTube channels might be limited to Canadians but that would be the best chance to watch the show from the States if you don't have access to a CBC feed.
You can download the CBC Radio app to get a CBC Radio One or CBC Radio 2 signal to listen to the show. The CBC Music app will not work outside Canada.
The Tragically Hip might be the textbook definition of Canadian success while little known outside the country. The band sings about Canada with plenty of references thrown into their songs. The Hip played at the 2004 Grey Cup at the old Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.
The Tragically Hip consists of Downie, who handles lead vocals and guitar; Paul Langlois on guitar and backing vocals; Rob Baker on guitar; Gord Sinclair on bass and backing vocals; and Johnny Fay on drums and percussion. You know it's a Canadian band if 2 of the members are named Gord.
In Toronto and likely elsewhere around Canada, you can check out venues that will carry the broadcast on a large screen with a good-sized crowd. That experience will come a bit closer to an actual concert than sitting on your Chesterfield at home.
This adds to the true Canadian shared identity over The Tragically Hip.
Reflecting on the Tragically Hip significance in Canada
CanadianCrossing.com music coverage
The band also played in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, London, Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa for the 15-date tour. The street in front of the Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston is named after the band. Man Machine Poem is the group's 14th studio album.
photos credit: me
Thanks so much for writing a piece on The Tragically Hip. First off I'll start by saying that I am originally from Kingston ON. I moved from the city about 10 years ago but still get back when I can to visit family and friends that are there. While I have no real personal connection to the band, Mr. Downie's sister lived on the street behind my parents growing up and I went to elementary/high school with her kids (I was in the same grade as one of them)who would speak of "Uncle Gord" on occasion. When the sad news of Mr. Downie's condition was revealed back in May, my thoughts immediately turned to their family whom I remember from my younger days and how difficult it must be for them all.
While I've always enjoyed The Hip's music I wouldn't consider them to be one of my favourite bands, or favourite Canadian band for that matter (maybe 2nd though). But I have always had much respect for them and they have been great ambassadors for our hometown and proud Canadians. Their songwriting is unique for sure and have never tended to write songs about 'mainstream' stuff that a lot of other bands do. Maybe why their popularity internationally never got as big as it did here in Canada. And there's absolutely nothing wrong or bad about that. I would've loved to have been back in Kingston this weekend to take in the atmosphere in the city but can't be due to a prior committment. Like many others though I'll be watching when the CBC comes on the air from our hometown on Saturday night.
Another little tidbit. Guitar player Rob Baker's dad, the late Phil Baker, was a longtime judge in the courts in Kingston. My own dad told me a story about going before him many years ago to try to get out of a speeding ticket... I don't think he was successful :P
Posted by: KWH84 | August 19, 2016 at 04:33 PM
The ambassador element is important. They are a Canadian band that celebrates Canada and tells its stories with good songs.
I also found it intriguing of their success in Canada and not much outside. Hoping some Americans and Canadians get to know the band better.
Hope you enjoy the final show. Thanks.
Posted by: Chad | August 20, 2016 at 09:29 AM