Dying Singer Downie Bids Canada Farewell

A Canadian band whose lead singer was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer have performed their last concert at the end of an emotional farewell tour. The Tragically Hip drew a sell-out crowd to the last show in Kingston, Ontario, on Saturday, broadcast live across Canada.

PM Justin Trudeau, who was at the live show, said the band had "been writing Canada's soundtrack for over 30 years". Lead singer Gord Downie, 52, announced his illness in May. The news caused shock across Canada.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation called Mr Downie the country's "unofficial poet laureate".
The Globe and Mail newspaper reported that the 15-stop Man Machine Poem tour "left a trail of heartbreak but also celebration across the nation".

Mr Trudeau tweeted after the concert that the band would be "forever in our hearts and playlists".
He also tweeted a picture of himself writing on a wall of messages to what he dubbed "Canada's band".