Tragically Hip fans unite during emotional show in Winnipeg

It was nearlyimpossible to find any fans unmoved by the Tragically Hip's performance in Winnipeg on Friday.

For many, the showwas a tearful goodbye to a band they have known and loved for decades.

• Tragically Hip close the show at MTS Centre in Winnipeg

One fan, Rhys Delaronde, described Friday'sshow as "magical[and]religious."

"Anybody who was here ... will remember it for the rest of their life."

35-year-old Joanne Schiewehas thesame kind of cancer as Downie. True North Entertainment gave her front row seats and VIP access before the show.

On Twitter she described the performance as "Amazing!!!"

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RoryYoungtravelled all the way from Nova Scotia to seewhat was his37thTragically Hip show.

"This show was about emotion. I thought the walls were going to crumble when Gord walked on stage. He could have read the phone book out loud and it still would've been a great show," said Young.

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Young's 12-year-old daughter, Kira Young, equally enjoyed the show by his side.

She said it was "loud but really great. I really felt a bond between everybody in the room."

David Hamilton drove to Winnipeg from Regina to seehis favourite band.

Unlike many who had to resort to paying hundreds of dollars for a ticket, Hamilton said he was lucky to purchase one in the fans-only presale.

"I was able to only land a single at $150 but I actually was extremely happy with my seat," he said.

For Hamilton the Hip are deeply tied tonostalgia. He calls them the soundtrack to his youth.

"Anytime a Hip song comes on it takes me back and I will find myself singing along to every word," he said.

Perhaps for that reason, Friday's concert was more emotional than Hamilton expected it to be.

"I found myself reflecting on all the past Hip tours and the flood of emotion was at times overwhelming. Gord and the band were amazing ... My thoughts and prayers go out to Gord and his family," he said.

'I can die happy'

Other fans streaming out of the MTS Centre were equally heartsick to imagine the two-hour show might be the band's last in Winnipeg.

Matt Vis, who travelled from Thunder Bay for the concert, said seeing the Tragically Hip for the first timewas a Canadian rite of passage for him.

"I can die happy saying I've seen the Tragically Hip live in concert," he said.

Vis said he decided he had to see the band in person afterlearning he may not have many more chances to do so.

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world," he said.

If Vis could say anything to the band? Itwould be"Thank you."

"Thank you for tonight. Thank you for the past 30 years."

For those who missed Friday's show, CBC will broadcast the Tragically Hip'sfinal show on their Man Machine Poem Tour on a big screen atAssiniboine Park on Aug. 20 and live on CBC Television.

• Tragically Hip concert to be aired on Assiniboine Park's big screen
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