The Tragically Hip, whose frontman Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, have performed their last concert at the end of an emotional farewell tour.
The Canadian blues and rock band drew a sell-out crowd to the last show in Kingston, Ontario, on August 20, broadcast live across the country.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was at the live show, said The Tragically Hip had “been writing Canada’s soundtrack for over 30 years”.
Gord Downie, 52, announced his illness in May.
The news of his illness caused shock across Canada.
Photo Facebook
The CBC called Gord Downie Canada’s “unofficial poet laureate”.
The 15-stop Man Machine Poem tour “left a trail of heartbreak but also celebration across the nation”, the Globe and Mail reported.
Justin Trudeau tweeted after the concert that The Tragically Hip would be “forever in our hearts and playlists”.
The prime minister also tweeted a picture of himself writing on a wall of messages to what he dubbed “Canada’s band”.
Formed in the 1980s, the band penned lyrics which explicitly referenced Canadian life, with a small-town charm that won the country over.
The Tragically Hip started as a college band working the local circuit and then took off, but their success across 14 albums was mostly confined to within Canada.
Known simply as The Hip to many Canadians, their songs became part of a national identity.
Kingston designated on August 20 as The Tragically Hip Day in honor of its local heroes.
The Kingston concert was broadcast on Canadian TV and was shown at hundreds of public screenings across the country in bars and outdoor venues.
The final concert, at the Rogers K-Rock Center, sold out in minutes.
Topics to do with The Hip concert trended on Canadian social media on August 20.
JLS have announced that they are splitting up after five years together.
In a statement on their official website the former British X Factor boy band thanked their fans.
“We wanted to make sure that you heard it from the four of us, that we have decided to bring our time as a band to an end,” the statement said.
The band also said they would put together a final album, Goodbye; The Greatest Hits, with a new single to coincide with a farewell tour.
“Goodbye; The Greatest Hits Tour will be the last time that we will perform together as a four and we want to make sure that this tour is the best ever and that we end on a high!
“We will always remain brothers and friends and we will always be your boys.
“Thanks to all of you guys, your support, your dedication and you have changed our lives forever. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you.”
JLS have announced that they are splitting up after five years together
JLS first appeared on The X Factor in 2008 finishing second to Alexandra Burke and are made up of Oritse Williams, Marvin Humes, J.B. Gill and Aston Merrygold.
In their time together they have had five number one singles and released four studio albums.
JLS’s debut album is the third biggest-selling X Factor debut ever behind Leona Lewis and One Direction.
One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson tweeted: “Sad to hear about JLS. Wish them all the best of luck in what they go on to do.”
The band will continue to work on the JLS Foundation after they spilt up. The charity was started three years ago.
“As always we will continue to support each other and we hope you will enjoy watching us grow individually in our new chapters going forward. We want to look at this final year as a celebration of all that we have achieved together.
“We hope you can look back and remember all the great moments that you have been responsible for.”
J.B. tweeted to fans: “I also know you will all take this in different ways but we will always be there for you guys even though we are no longer a group!!J x.
“Roll on the greatest hits tour!! The next chapter has begun, watch this space…hehe J x.”
Over their career, JLS have sold more than six million records, won two Brit awards in 2010 and five Mobo awards.
Marvin Humes, 28, married Saturdays singer Rochelle Wiseman last year and they are expecting their first child.
The group launched their own range of condoms and Aston Merrygold is a judge on Sky’s Got To Dance series.
J.B. Gill has developed an interest in farming.
Ahead of their farewell tour they are also playing several festivals across the UK in June, July and August.
[youtube bNF9ejfXnP8]
This website has updated its privacy policy in compliance with EU GDPR 2016/679. Please read this to review the updates about which personal data we collect on our site. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our updated policy. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
