Trudeau says final Hip concert powerful moment for all Canadians

Posted Aug 21, 2016 06:56:32 AM.

This article is more than 5 years old.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Tragically Hip are an essential part of what Canada is.

Trudeau was among the fans attending what is expected to be the band’s final show, in Kingston, Ont., on Saturday night.

In an interview with the CBC, Trudeau reminisced about how he used to enjoy the band’s music during his high school and university years.

Trudeau says the band remains anchored in Canada in so many ways through their lyrics and music.

Trudeau told the CBC that the concert represents a way to not only say farewell to Downie, but also celebrate the singer and celebrate Canada.

He says the concert is a powerful moment for all Canadians.

The Tragically Hip mixed fan favourites, newer songs and some politics on Saturday night during the final show of their “Man Machine Poem” tour.

Lead singer Gord Downie, who started the show wearing a metallic silver suit and hat with a “Jaws” T-shirt underneath, hugged and kissed his bandmates before they stepped on stage at the K-Rock Centre in the group’s hometown of Kingston, Ont.

Minutes earlier, as the raucous sold-out crowd waited for the band to emerge, an impromptu rendition of O Canada broke out.

The band immediately gave fans what they wanted to hear, starting their set with four straight hits from the classic album “Fully Completely:” opener “50 Mission Cap,” followed by “Courage (for Hugh MacLennan),” “Wheat Kings” and “At the Hundredth Meridian.”

The Hip then segued into their latest album “Man Machine Poem,” with four tracks including the single “In a World Possessed by the Human Mind.”

Before “Machine,” Downie launched into one of his trademark onstage rants, calling out to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was in the crowd for the show. Trudeau’s official photographer tweeted a photo of the prime minister and Downie embracing before the concert.

“Well, you know, prime minister Trudeau’s got me, his work with First Nations. He’s got everybody. He’s going to take us where we need to go,” Downie said from the stage.

“It’s going to take us 100 years to figure out what the hell went on up there,” he continued, “but it isn’t cool and everybody knows that. It’s really, really bad, but we’re going to figure it out, you’re going to figure it out.”

Many anticipate this will be the band’s final tour, given the recent news that Downie is battling terminal brain cancer.

Before performing the “Road Apples” song “Fiddler’s Green,” Downie seemed to reference the outpouring of support from fans in the wake of his diagnosis.

“Thank you, people, for keeping me pushing and keeping me pushing,” he said, which prompted a “Gordie!” chant from the audience.

The Kingston concert sold out almost immediately, along with the other 14 shows on the tour. The overwhelming demand to see what could be the Hip’s final shows prompted the CBC to acquire the broadcast rights for the Kingston concert.

Bobcaygeon shut down its main street to screen the final stop of the Hip’s tour.

The community became well known following the Hip’s hit single “Bobcaygeon” from their 1998 album “Phantom Power.” The song earned a Juno Award for Best Single in 2000.

Over six thousand people either stood or sat on lawn chairs along Bolton St. where both adults and children took in the show on three jumbo screens set up throughout the community’s main stretch. Despite technical difficulties with the screens blowing over due to wind and getting the projector to play the live stream, people enjoyed beer and sang out choruses to their favourite songs.

Group pictures and selfies were taken with family and friends as many in Bobcaygeon wanted to remember this special Canadian moment. Children sat on their parents laps or on blankets.

Donations were being accepted for Downey and brain cancer research.

Celebrations also took place internationally – at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the Canada Olympic House will host a party for Canadian athletes along with their family and friends.

Canadians Abroad of Southern California was to have a viewing party in Los Angeles.