The Tragically Hip fans in Vancouver revel in Gord Downie magic
Love for Canadian rock band and their ailing front man 'palpable,' in first of 2 Rogers Arena shows
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.
Right on time. <a href="https://twitter.com/thehipdotcom">@thehipdotcom</a> opens their show <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://t.co/q2nDMBy47S">pic.twitter.com/q2nDMBy47S</a>
—@LienY
CBC Vancouver reporter Lien Yeung tweeted live and captured the show on Snapchat under username "cbcvancouver."
Crowds singing along happily to Little Bones. Downie shed his turquoise jacket already. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://t.co/v2jDEPLYyl">pic.twitter.com/v2jDEPLYyl</a>
—@LienY30 min into the show, break, and Gord Downie now in a full silver lamé suit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://t.co/MoavVrWOl9">pic.twitter.com/MoavVrWOl9</a>
—@LienYPace of concert has picked up again with Fireworks <a href="https://twitter.com/thehipdotcom">@thehipdotcom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://t.co/JJ86fwOo4z">pic.twitter.com/JJ86fwOo4z</a>
—@LienYStadium roared for Bobcaygeon. Deafening "woos". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://t.co/pyBYQhGvTN">pic.twitter.com/pyBYQhGvTN</a>
—@LienYAfter 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.
Entire band has left stage to give Gord Downie his moment. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thetragicallyhip?src=hash">#thetragicallyhip</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://t.co/rdgRgjqiKp">pic.twitter.com/rdgRgjqiKp</a>
—@LienYFans at the first of two Vancouver shows also tweeted about the energy of the band and, in particular, Downie's performance.
Gord Downie in amazing form! <a href="https://twitter.com/thehipdotcom">@thehipdotcom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/vancouver?src=hash">#vancouver</a> <a href="https://t.co/nIVUxPjQfl">pic.twitter.com/nIVUxPjQfl</a>
—@AdrianBrijbassiThe love in this arena for Gord is palpable. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TragicallyHip?src=hash">#TragicallyHip</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/inGordwetrust?src=hash">#inGordwetrust</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canadaproud?src=hash">#Canadaproud</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/frakcancer?src=hash">#frakcancer</a>
—@LeahCairnsOne last moment together <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TragicallyHip?src=hash">#TragicallyHip</a> <a href="https://t.co/AMz8ts9egv">pic.twitter.com/AMz8ts9egv</a>
—@paulfruitmanNext 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.
One last time....... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheHip?src=hash">#TheHip</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pumped?src=hash">#pumped</a> <a href="https://t.co/te1ZRTEFxw">pic.twitter.com/te1ZRTEFxw</a>
—@RickSawatskyDon't you wanna see how it ends? Thrilled & seasick & exhilarated for <a href="https://twitter.com/thehipdotcom">@thehipdotcom</a> tonight in Van <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> ❤️
—@aeringuyHeading to see the Hip on their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manmachinepoemtour?src=hash">#manmachinepoemtour</a> tonight. I purposely didn't wear mascara because I know there will be tears.
—@iheartcities