Downie acknowledged Trudeau from the stage. It was broadcast live, shown in public screenings at hockey areas and town squares, in restaurants and bars. However, while watching the concert under the stars and around a bonfire, I was reminded how music has the power to unite us, much like one’s favorite sports team.
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The Tragically Hip, Man Machine Poem Tour made a stop in Nelson as venues, including one at the Lakeside Ball Diamonds, pumped out the live concert Saturday from Kingston, Ont.
Despite being diagnosed with the most aggressive cancerous brain tumour, the singer was in good form.
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.
The beloved Canadian band the Tragically Hip have played what is believed to be their last concert, which got under way with flag-waving fans breaking into an impromptu rendition of the national anthem, O Canada.
Topics to do with the concert trended on Canadian social media on Saturday.
During the performance, Gord acknowledged and praised the 44-year-old politician for his efforts to take action on behalf of Canada’s indigenous people.
Justin has said that Gord is someone who has been “writing Canada’s soundtrack for more than 30 years”, according to the Washington Post. “It’s going to take us 100 years to figure out what the hell went on up there, but it isn’t cool and everybody knows that”.
“A singer needs to keep his or her voice always warm”, he said, briefly undoing the sock to reveal its heel before tying it back onto his neck.
Trudeau could be seen in the audience, nodding and mouthing “thank you”. “The Hip is a Canadian treasure and I’m really going to miss them”. Forever in our hearts and playlists’.
Of the 5,700 fans that had the opportunity to actually attend the show in Kingston, Justin Trudeau put his Prime Minister duties aside for a night and showed his love for Gord, even sporting a Tragically Hip t-shirt.
Shawn Stevenson was one of those fans and he said this final show was a big deal.
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Arm in arm, Downie, Rob Baker, Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay walked off for the last time.
