The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomed the Tragically Hip, Feist, Loverboy, and Roch Voisine into its 2026 class during a prestigious event at Toronto’s Massey Hall. The Tragically Hip members paid tribute to their late bandmate, Gord Downie, reminiscing about his impact and legacy. Guitarist Rob Baker shared a heartfelt message supposedly from Downie, expressing gratitude for the honor.
The evening featured captivating performances from various artists, including Finneas, Our Lady Peace, and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, who delivered genre-spanning tributes covering a wide range of musical styles. The crowd was engrossed in the music, tapping their feet and dancing in their seats.
As the event concluded, a symbolic purple feathered hat adorned a microphone stand on stage as a tribute to Downie’s unique style. Allison Russell, among the performers, honored Downie with a rendition of “Wheat Kings” and a heartfelt declaration of love for the late musician.
Leslie Feist was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Finneas, who praised her influence and performed her song “My Moon My Man.” Feist expressed her gratitude for the recognition and shared how songs helped her navigate life’s ups and downs.
The night also saw energetic performances paying homage to Loverboy, with artists like Amanda Marshall and Talk delivering vibrant renditions of the band’s hits. The exceptional evening concluded with Roch Voisine’s moving performance of “I’ll Always Be There,” accompanied by Isabelle Boulay, and Our Lady Peace’s electrifying cover of the Tragically Hip’s “Locked in the Trunk of a Car.”
Overall, the induction ceremony was a celebration of Canadian musical talent and a tribute to the lasting impact of iconic songwriters on the country’s music scene.