Singalongs and backyard screenings: N.L. shows love for The Tragically Hip
They sang, they danced, they cried: Province showed its support for The Tragically Hip Saturday night
Across Newfoundland and Labrador Saturday night, fans of The Tragically Hip joined the rest of the country in watching the final concert of what could be the beloved Canadian band's final tour.
- 'Thank you for that': Tragically Hip put on poignant show for hometown Kingston crowd
- Exclusive: Watch the Tragically Hip perform 'New Orleans is Sinking' from Kingston
It's been an emotional journey for fans who were stunned by the announcement earlier this spring that lead singer Gord Downie is battling terminal brain cancer.
Here's how fans in the province showed their love for the band Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described as "an inevitable and essential part of what we are — and who we are — as a country."
Singer Jody Richardson led 250 festival goers in a tribute to Downie at the annual Writers of Woody Point on the island's west coast.
The group sang Ahead by a Century on the same spot where Downie had performed Bobcaygeon in 2014.
Fans in St. John's held their own viewing parties.
A few fans here on Monkstown Road for <a href="https://twitter.com/thehipdotcom">@thehipdotcom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBC">@cbc</a> show <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThankYouGord?src=hash">#ThankYouGord</a> <a href="https://t.co/IYBVrCZHzT">pic.twitter.com/IYBVrCZHzT</a>
—@Jeremy_EatonViewing party in our backyard for the Tragically Hip <a href="https://twitter.com/thehipdotcom">@thehipdotcom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/corageforgord?src=hash">#corageforgord</a> <a href="https://t.co/pRpHIQUYl3">pic.twitter.com/pRpHIQUYl3</a>
—@j_whitesI remember the exact moment I first heard Scared and became aware of The Hip and really aware of Canadian music. I was 14 years old.
—@DanJMeadesWaiting for the encore. But I've been wiping away tears since "Bobcageon". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/isthisrelygoodbye?src=hash">#isthisrelygoodbye</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sosad?src=hash">#sosad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCTheHip?src=hash">#CBCTheHip</a> <a href="https://t.co/ekTqP9mUCz">pic.twitter.com/ekTqP9mUCz</a>
—@j_whitesSeamus O'Regan, MP for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, journeyed to Kingston for the concert.
The beauty of this moment is beyond my small words. <a href="https://t.co/UMHhzAu8H6">pic.twitter.com/UMHhzAu8H6</a>
—@SeamusOReganEven those who couldn't watch the show found ways to join in.
No wifi or TV at the cabin, so thankful to be listening to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HipInKingston?src=hash">#HipInKingston</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcradio">@cbcradio</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCTheHip?src=hash">#CBCTheHip</a> <a href="https://t.co/qe6pMb6x4n">pic.twitter.com/qe6pMb6x4n</a>
—@melissaroyleHundreds gathered on George Street in downtown St. John's to watch the show — including a bride and her wedding party.
George Street St. John's NL The HIP <a href="https://t.co/s6xj6Xa5u8">pic.twitter.com/s6xj6Xa5u8</a>
—@sanford17I'm far from a big <a href="https://twitter.com/thehipdotcom">@thehipdotcom</a> fan, but I can appreciate tonight is going to be a Heritage Minute. <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeStLive">@GeorgeStLive</a> <a href="https://t.co/yaLlpIrl5s">pic.twitter.com/yaLlpIrl5s</a>
—@ryan_belbinWatching the Hip concert on George Street and getting emotional because the whole crowd is emotional and this is A LOT.
—@five_htGoing to be watching the Hip concert from the George Street stage. I probably should have brought more tissues.
—@otterinthewaterAnd it wasn't just St. John's. There were also free public screenings in Corner Brook, Gander, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Wabush.
Heading with our lawn chairs to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hip?src=hash">#Hip</a> streaming in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/corner?src=hash">#corner</a> brook. Wish we were in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kingston?src=hash">#Kingston</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/loveyouGord?src=hash">#loveyouGord</a>
—@HeatherMonique7Feeling the Hip love in Corner Brook tonight. Embrace the happy tears 🎈
—@BGosseMusic