The Tragically Hip kicked off their final tour Friday night, as fans enjoyed the music of the iconic Canadian band while at the same time feeling a heavy heart for frontman and band founder Gord Downie.

The tour was organized after it was learned that the 52 year-old Downie was suffering from incurable brain cancer.

The tour opener was staged in front of 9-thousand fans at a hockey arena in Victoria, British Columbia. They’ll play 15 shows across Canada to promote their latest album, “Man Machine Poem.”

While fans clearly had Gord Downie on their mind, there was a fun atmosphere celebrating hits from the past as well as new songs from the new album.

Downie was in a good mood too, delighting the crowd in what’s described as a magenta ensemble along with a white fedora topped with a feather.