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Tv Film

Tragically Hip Docuseries 'No Dress Rehearsal' Coming To Amazon Prime November 20

Directed by the late frontman Gord Downie's older brother Mike, the series features never before seen footage from the band's 40-year career.

The Tragically Hip

The Tragically Hip

Gord Hawkins (CNW Group/Amazon Canada)

An iconic Canadian band is shedding new light on their journey.

The Tragically Hip, who are celebrating 40 years since their founding, will premiere a new docuseries at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5. The docuseries will then be available to watch via Amazon Prime as of November 20, with all episodes premiering at once in over 240 territories globally.


The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is directed and produced by late frontman Gord Downie's older brother Mike, and features never before seen footage of the band. It tells the story of their rise to popularity — the band has nine No. 1 albums in Canada and 17 Junos, and is synonymous with Canadian music for many listeners — and the loss of Downie from brain cancer in 2017.

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"This project is a labour of love," says Mike Downie in a statement. "We set out to understand what held the band together, what pushed them apart and how they captured the hearts and minds of so many fans both in Canada and around the world."

The brand new trailer for the four-episode series features reflections from the band members on The Hip's ups and downs as well as their final tour with Downie in 2015 after his diagnosis. The interviews are accompanied by concert footage and commentary from Canadians like actor Will Arnett and broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos.

Downie's legacy and the band's popularity continue to influence Canadian music and culture. The Hip were named this year's Record Store Day Ambassadors in Canada and released a new album, Live at CBGB's, for the occasion. Their longtime manager Jake Gold, who was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame at Canadian Music Week in June, serves as an executive producer on No Dress Rehearsal.

After its TIFF premiere, the series will stream on Prime Video, though no date is available yet. TIFF 2024 is also set to feature appearances from musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and Pharrell Williams. The festival runs September 5 to 15.

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Charlotte Day Wilson
Jessica Foley
Charlotte Day Wilson
Concerts

CNE 2026 Bell SOUNDSTAGE Lineup: Charlotte Day Wilson, JoJo, Finger Eleven and More

As part of its partnership with NXNE and a renewed focus on live music, CNE will also welcome a special soon-to-be revealed global headliner presented by Billboard Canada on Aug. 28.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is embracing its musical roots with a high-profile lineup for 2026.

The beloved long-running fair, baptized The Ex by Torontonians, has unveiled the full list of artists who will be headlining the newly-named Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell to celebrate the event's 147th edition. Canadian stars like Charlotte Day Wilson and Finger Eleven as well as international pop star JoJo have been added to this year's programming, which reflects a diverse mix of renowned names and rising stars across a multitude of genres including pop, hip-hop, Punjabi music and soca, among others. They join previously announced acts like Lights, Lupe Fiasco, Shaggy and more.

This year, the exhibition is partnering with Toronto music festival NXNE, to modernize its musical programming with chart-topping artists and newer acts, and revamping the Bandshell as the Bell SOUNDSTAGE. “Music is such a massive part of who we are,” Mark Holland, CEO of the CNE, told Billboard Canada in April during his Executive of the Week interview. "Connecting everybody to that is a democratic mission that we are really invested in."

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