The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal

1980s Kingston, Ontario is known for prisons and a preppy university - not rock ‘n’ roll. Five high school friends change that when they form The Tragically Hip and set out to rock one small town after another. While performing for a big-city music exec, The Hip survive a near-disaster and score their big break. Next stop, Memphis, where The Hip record their first hit album, Up To Here.

The Tragically Hip record two albums richly reflecting the Canadian experience. Road Apples and Fully Completely are embraced by a generation. The Hip build on an outpouring of love from their fans and stage the biggest tour in Canadian history, Another Roadside Attraction. But bold new sounds on their next album, Day for Night, lead to an irreparable rift with one of the band’s longtime managers.

The Tragically Hip are on top of the world. They play Saturday Night Live, tour the US with Page/Plant and Europe with The Rolling Stones. Their albums are still selling, but after so many years together they’re feeling the pressure. They’ve changed not only as individuals, but as artists. While still united in front of the crowd, off stage, tensions drive them to a breaking point.

After drifting apart, The Hip reconnect while recording Now For Plan A and touring their iconic album Fully Completely for its 20th Anniversary. But in 2016, tragedy strikes. Lead singer and lyricist Gord Downie is diagnosed with incurable cancer. Downie and The Hip rally to bring the country together for a final tour of awe inspiring concerts, solidifying their status as Canada’s favourite band.