What’s it like to open for a legendary rock band?
Braiden (lead guitar): My experience opening for the Tragically Hip was amazing. I can honestly say having such a famous rock band come up to this small northern community is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I feel so lucky that I was able to be a part of the show. I hope sometime in the near future, I can be the opening act again. Something I’ll never forget is playing a song with Gord Downie. It was truly amazing.
Evan (drums): My experience playing the Tragically Hip concert was sincerely amazing. It was great to meet the Hip and was even better when I got to play with the lead singer, Gordon. This experience seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually play with a legit band. I had a great time meeting them and spending time with these guys. I couldn’t ask for anything more than to play at an actual concert and with such a serious band. It was a pleasure to meet them and hopefully get to see them again sometime soon.
READ JOSEPH AND AMANDA BOYDEN’S REPORT FROM THE GREAT MOON GATHERING AND THE REFLECTIONS OF SOME OF ITS PARTICIPANTS:
Gord Downie | Robert Gillies | Edmund Metatawabin | Karen and Jassen Metatawabin | Northern Revolution | Shelagh Rogers |
Cody (rhythm guitar): My experience playing the The Tragically Hip was very awesome. A very famous rock band came to Fort Albany First Nation. All I can say is those two days of seeing them and talking to them, playing guitar with them was fantastic. I can’t believe they actually came to Albany. I am very pleased they talked to my band Northern Revolution, and I hope in the near future they will come by and play again in Fort Albany. The best experience has to be playing ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ with Gord Downie.
Cory (bass): My experience playing with The Tragically Hip was epic. It was epic seeing the Tragically Hip play their songs live. I cannot believe that the band came over to Ontario to play for us. Meeting them was good. The lead singer of the band played with us, and I felt honored that he played. The Tragically Hip said that they’d maybe be coming again in the near future. The most awesome experience was playing ‘Knockin’ on Heavens Door’ with Gordon.
Roseanne (vocals): My night during the Tragically Hip show was absolutely terrific. I never thought I was going to actually do something like that in my life. Well, I have thought of it, but not like this. This one was way better. Getting to face my stage fright was the hard part, but I got used to it. Singing up there felt good. I felt happier inside and out. Showing my talent wasn’t easy; I had to put so much effort in it that my throat was beginning to hurt. I didn’t know it was going to be like that. I had so much fun performing, and I want to do a lot more of those, knowing I’m not afraid anymore of what people would think of me or how bad I would sound. I realized it shouldn’t matter what they think. It’s all on me, and I should be doing something I’ve really loved doing ever since I was a little girl and that’s singing. I shouldn’t let the word ”fear” bring me down. I need to face it.
After the Tragically Hip show, I was getting all these compliments, people saying they were proud of me. I practically made my sister cry because she said she was so proud of me, and she didn’t know I could sing like that. Everything that people said about me made me feel more confident about myself. I don’t even think about the negative stuff anymore.
I’m proud of myself also. I’m so grateful that me and the band got together and had to do late practices just to get ourselves ready for the show.
Singing with Gord Downie was one of the greatest things. If it weren’t for them coming to Fort Albany, where would I be? I bet you in the same situation I was in a long time ago, but I’m so glad they came. I got to do something I’ve always wanted to do.