Nearly ten years after their emotional farewell performance, legendary Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip is giving fans another opportunity to experience one of the most memorable moments in Canadian music history. This summer, CBC will rebroadcast the band’s final Man Machine Poem concert, allowing audiences across the country to revisit the powerful 2016 performance that brought millions of Canadians together.
The special presentation, titled The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration, will air on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. local time. Viewers will be able to watch the concert on CBC TV and CBC Gem, while listeners can tune in through CBC Radio. The event will also stream on CBC Music’s YouTube channel, making it accessible to fans everywhere.
The original concert took place on Aug. 20, 2016, in Kingston, the hometown of the band. The performance marked the final stop on The Tragically Hip’s Man Machine Poem tour, which became one of the most significant musical events in Canada’s cultural history. Broadcast live by CBC, the concert attracted an estimated 11.7 million viewers, with Canadians gathering in homes, parks, bars, and public spaces to witness the farewell performance together.
At the time, the tour carried deep emotional significance. Just months earlier, lead singer Gord Downie had revealed that he had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Despite his illness, Downie continued performing with extraordinary energy and passion throughout the tour, turning each concert into a heartfelt celebration of music, storytelling, and national identity. His final appearance on stage in Kingston became an unforgettable moment for fans across the country.
Downie passed away on Oct. 17, 2017, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Canada’s most respected and influential artists. His work with The Tragically Hip continues to resonate deeply with generations of listeners.
To coincide with the anniversary broadcast, the band will also release a new live album on Aug. 21, one day before the televised event. The album, titled The Tragically Hip: Live July 22 – August 20, 2016, captures performances from the group’s final cross-country tour and features some of the band’s most beloved songs. Tracks include fan favourites such as Ahead By a Century, New Orleans Is Sinking, and several other live recordings from the historic farewell tour.
The album was mixed and mastered by longtime audio engineer Mark Vreeken, who worked closely with the band over the years. According to the announcement, the release aims to preserve the energy and emotion of the final tour while giving fans a new way to experience those performances.
Two songs from the album have already been released. A live version of Fifty-Mission Cap, recorded in Edmonton, is now available, along with Locked In The Trunk Of A Car from the final Kingston concert.
In addition to the anniversary celebrations, The Tragically Hip will receive another major honour later this year. In September, the band is set to be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Massey Hall in Toronto, recognizing their enduring impact on Canadian music and songwriting.
