The Kingston finale marked the closing chapter of the Man Machine Poem Tour, a 15-date, coast-to-coast farewell that reached millions. One third of Canadians tuned in, at a fever pitch they filled arenas, gathered in public squares, and watched from living rooms and on phones. As CBC’s historic 2016 broadcast unfolded, the nation stood still. It was more than a concert; it was a shared heartbeat. Billed as A National Celebration, the final Kingston show had Canadians and fans worldwide come together to honour a band whose songs are stitched into the collective subconscious of this country.

The Empire Theatre will be hosting a Watch Party of the CBC rebroadcast of the concert commercial-free as it originally aired on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.  Free screening – pre-registration is required.  Limit 4 tickets per person.

“It is hard to put into words how meaningful it was for CBC to broadcast The Tragically Hip concert to an audience of millions 10 years ago,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment. “For three hours on a summer night, all of Canada paused to celebrate and pay tribute together through the power of music. The Hip will always have a unique, special relationship with their fans and we’re honoured to relive this historic concert again this summer.” 

A National Celebration in every sense, the performance became a defining cultural moment honouring a band whose music has long been that heartbeat of Canada.