This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Canada closes down for The Tragically Hip’s final show
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 22 August 2016
Canadian band The Tragically Hip performed their final show on Saturday, bringing to an end a farewell tour which was announced after frontman Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer earlier this year.
The show in Downie’s hometown of Kingston was broadcast nationwide, with so many Canadians planning to watch people began proclaiming the country to be “closed” during the performance. The band played a three hour set with three encores before finally leaving the stage.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the show, telling local paper The Kingston-Whig Standard: “Tonight is the night where the whole country is either literally or metaphorically in Kingston. We’re celebrating The Hip, we’re unfortunately saying goodbye to Gord as [this is] his last big official show, but it’s a moment to remember the soundtrack of our lives. For it to be rooted right here in Kingston is just wonderful”.
Here’s a quick crash course in the three decade career of “the most Canadian band in the world”.
