The Tragically Hip fans in Vancouver revel in Gord Downie magic
The crowd roared, cheered and sang along as The Tragically Hip delivered for the second date of their Man Machine Poem Tour, this time in Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
Beginning promptly at 8:30 p.m. PT sharp, lead singer Gord Downie, 52, who has terminal brain cancer, took to the microphone in a shimmering turquoise, metallic suit, in the same style he wore in Victoria for the opening night of the tour.
In that show the band opened with Boots or Hearts, but in Vancouver it was Twist My Arm.
CBC Vancouver reporter Lien Yeung tweeted live and captured the show on Snapchat under username "cbcvancouver."
After the last song, Grace, Too, before anencore, Downie's band mates, Paul Langlois, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair, and Johnny Fay left the stage for Downie to be alone with the crowd.
Fans at the first of two Vancouver shows also tweeted about the energy of the band and, in particular, Downie's performance.
Next show
The second Tragically Hip show in Vancouver will go on Tuesday with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. PT and the show starting at 8:30 p.m. PT. The 'Hip do not have a opening band in Vancouver.
Fans in Vancouver say the two shows will be emotional as they reflect on the band's impact on their lives and culture in Canada.
