Tragically Hip tour, 1st since Gord Downie's cancer revelation, kicks off in Victoria

Fans are breathlesslyanticipating the Tragically Hip concert tonight in Victoria.

It's the first show of the band'slatest tour following late May'sshocking revelation that frontman Gord Downie, 52, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

• See if your hometown is part of the Hip's long list of Canadian lyrics
• CBC MUSIC |The true, tragic and inspiring Canadian stories behindGordDownie'sbest lyrics
• CBC MUSIC |Readers' poll: what is the best Tragically Hip song?

The Hip has been perfecting its artistry for decades, entertaining millions with crowd-pleasers likeBobcaygeon, At the Hundredth Meridian, and Ahead by a Century.

But, given the demands of the road, and with Downie's dire prognosis, people are wondering just how this tour will unfold.

"I don't know how they're feeling [gearing up to]the launch of the tour, but I imagine they're excited. I know their fans are excited," saidCanadian singer-songwriterSarah Harmer, who has collaborated with the Hip in the past and says the group hasbeen"firing people up" for years with "amazing" energy at live shows.

"I think they're doing what they do, living in the moment, playing shows, making it unique every night," she told CBC News.

Friday's show will be emotional, "not only for the fans, but for the crew, for the promoters, for the buildings, for anyone who is there,"predictedVictoria-based music promoter Nick Blasko, who'sworked with the band a number of times.

"I think that there's no hiding behind the reason why this tour is happening and, for a lot of people, this is a goodbye."

• Gord Downie, Tragically Hip singer, has terminal cancer

In anonline statement, the band was careful when referring to the tour, avoiding terms like finalor farewell whendiscussing hitting the road for the Hip's14thstudio album,Man Machine Poem.

"We've decided to do another one,"the band memberswrote, adding they would"try to make this our best tour yet."

On Friday, they're scheduled to take the stage at Victoria'sSave-On-Foods Memorial Centre at8:30 p.m. PTand greet up to 9,000 concertgoersin anarena usually reserved for junior ice hockey games.

"There's a lot of people arriving in Victoria from all over the country, all walks of our industrywhether it's promoters, agents people that are in our business are descending on Victoria right now to be a part of this first show," Blasko said.

Over the next month, the band will then continue through a 15-dateconcert tour across the nation, concluding with a grand finale in its hometown of Kingston, Ont. that will be broadcast and streamed live on CBC.

• CBC MUSIC |How to watch the Tragically Hip's Aug. 20 concert on CBC

Toronto singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge is one of many musicians who have been influenced by the iconic band. His 2014 album Daredevilconsistsstrictly of cover versions of Tragically Hip songs.

"There will be sadness among the madness. Most of us simply want to thank them for their contributions to our lives," he said.

"Disbelief, tears, frustration no one wants Gord to leave. No one knows what to do. We look up to the Tragically Hip as songwriters, musicians, and people."

Health concerns

Any musicaltour requires stamina and focus, butforDowniediagnosed with anaggressive form of brain cancer known asglioblastomathe physical toll is likely considerable.

How will hewithstand this month'straveland performances? Will anythingbevisibletoconcertgoers:headaches, physical weaknessor changes in personality? Is there a back-up plan if, for instance,he feels too ill to perform?

• GordDownie's'incurable' brain cancer won't keep him from singing, his doctor says
• PHOTOS |Gord Downie: Hip frontman, freestyling lyricist and Canada's troubadour

Discussing the rocker'sstate in late May, neuro-oncologistDr.James Perry said that following surgery,chemotherapy and radiation, Downie's primary symptoms seemed to be fatigue due to his illness and its treatment. The singer-songwriter would likely need more "maintenance chemotherapy," he addedat the time.

Ken McLeod, an associate professor specializing in popular music history at the University of Toronto, expects that fans will be respectful of whatever may come during the concerts.

"People are really excited to see them play, but also conscious of Downie's health situation," he pointedout.

"It's almost, ironically, an emotional embodiment of the contradiction in the band's name itself. It's cool that they're touring, but the circumstances are tragic."

Unprecedented demand

The tour'scoveted tickets sold out in seconds inJune and though additional dates were added, it soon emerged that computer bots hadscooped up a large quantity of available seats, and scalpers were caught posting fake tickets on resalewebsites.

This week, a newly announced lottery is giving fans fresh hope for the opportunity to buy tickets on the dayof each show.

• Tragically Hip fans cry foul after presale tickets scooped up in minutes
• Fans surprised and overjoyed after scoring last-minute Tragically Hip tickets
• Lottery will give Tragically Hip fans a second shot at concert tickets

Also, since the announcement that CBC would broadcast and stream the final show, nearly100 organizations across Canada have submitted requests to host public screenings, with nearly 40 of themfromPenticton, B.C. to Winnipeg toGlaceBay, N.S.granted permission thusfar.

• Tragically Hip concert to be aired on Assiniboine Park's big screen
• Savoy Theatre to stream Tragically Hip concert as cancer fundraiser

After years of touring,racking upmillions in record sales as well asnumerous awards and achievements, the Hip oneof Canada's mosticonic and influential musical acts faces perhaps its most difficult road trip yet.

• VIDEO |Gord Downie's revealing CBC interview
• CBC ARCHIVES |Gord Downie: Musician at work

Emotions are high and all eyes are on Downie,but onlytime will tell how the tour will unfold, asCouragebecomes more than just a song.

Where to watch

The Kingston concert will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast and streamed commercial freeon CBC Television (mainnetwork), CBC Radio One,CBC Radio 2,cbcmusic.caand CBC's YouTube channels.

It will also stream online at the following destinations:

Online: cbcmusic.ca/thehip
YouTube channel:youtube.com/cbcmusic
Facebook:facebook.com/cbcmusic
Twitter:twitter.com/cbcmusic