So. It’s over. Now what?
I am so lucky that I got to take part in the ultimate Tragically Hip experience. Together, my family went to 6 concerts. Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Hamilton, Ottawa and Kingston. The ones I went to were magical. I’ve been to other bands concerts before, but it’s never even close to being as enticing and eye opening as a Tragically Hip show.
Best moments of the Man Machine Poem tour:
- Being front row at the Edmonton show, just my dad and I. That was a night I will never forget.
- Sitting around the campfire with our relatives in Thornbury, live streaming the Calgary show
- Watching the Hamilton show with my cousin, we were probably the youngest kids there, and certainly the best dancers
- Singing ‘Music at Work’ with all my cousins and siblings while my uncle played the guitar by the fire
- Sitting in the living room with my aunt, watching the final show in Kingston.
August 20th. The end. My parents were there in Kingston while we live streamed it. I don’t even know how to describe that show. As the second encore rolled around they played ‘Scared’. I lost it. That was probably the most emotional song of the night for me. It’s hard to believe that song was written in 1995, cuz it’s bang on how Gord’s probably feeling, how I’m feeling and how the whole country is feeling over twenty years later. We are scared. Scared of what’s going to happen to Gord. Scared of what life is going to be like without any new Hip songs. The last line of that song ensured that there wasn’t a dry eye across the nation. “I gotta go, but it’s been a pleasure doing business with you”. As Gord sang that, my aunt and I made eye contact and shook our heads, wiping tears from our eyes.
As my dad has said, this tour was really Gord Downie’s own marathon of hope. He did the impossible while there’s still time. He blew the minds and touched the hearts of millions. I am so lucky that I was able to witness Canadian history being made. Gord Downie is a hero. Well, at least he’s mine. 
claire pontefract's blog 
Gord Downie’s strength of character blows my mind. As you say, Claire, he is probably scared yet he still manages to inspire hope. How truly incredible! A nice hero to look up to for sure! We can all learn a thing or two from this very special and amazing Canadian.
Thanks Claire for sharing your experiences, passion, and eloquent insight of your hero. I was thrilled to have had some part of your Hip tour. I know that the music will forever bind our family together.
For sure! Miss you guys:)
Gah…. Just beautiful, Claire. I will always remember this concert and experiencing all of the possible emotions: being nervous and excited about the last concert, being frustrated with the quirks of watching a concert over the head of a popsicle-eating child, laughing at how Cole fell asleep on the couch, being scared for Gord when he forgot his words, and eating “sad pizza” while we cried about it being over.
Haha, definitely! That was a night that I wish never ended.
WOW! Well written and you can feel the emotion while you’re reading it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings about the entire experience. The last concert we watched on TV was completely moving and full of raw emotion, I’ve never experienced anything quite like it knowing what it meant. Keep writing sweetie, you have such a gift. Love ya! xo
How lucky are you to have had both the experience of going to the concerts and sharing these experiences with extending family. That line ‘it has been a pleasure doing business with you” got me too!