Choir! Choir! Choir! to headline the Kingston’s Rockin’ the Square concert sponsored by Empire Life, along with special performances by notable local musicians, in a powerful tribute to The Tragically Hip

Get ready to be part of an unforgettable evening as Choir! Choir! Choir! headlines this year’s Rockin’ the Square sponsored by Empire Life, on Thursday, August 20 from 7 to 10 p.m. in Springer Market Square, leading Kingston through an epic singalong to the music of The Tragically Hip. This special event kicks off with a memorable local artist tribute featuring notable Kingston musicians including Miss Emily, The Abrams, members of Kasador, members of Tiny Horse and more to be announced, each performing their favourite Hip songs.

This year’s Rockin’ the Square sponsored by Empire Life is presented by the City of Kingston’s Arts & Culture Services department, and is part of the Forever Hip event series, marking a special milestone: 10 years to the day of The Tragically Hip’s final concert in 2016. Through music, community and shared memory, attendees will come together to celebrate one of Canada’s most iconic bands.

"Empire Life is proud to sponsor Rockin' the Square as we honour the profound legacy of The Tragically Hip," says Karen Smith, Director, Corporate Communications. "Our company is deeply rooted in Kingston and we’re delighted to support any event that brings our community together. The Tragically Hip have helped shape our city's identity and that's something we're excited to celebrate."

Rockin’ the Square sponsored by Empire Life 

Following the performances by Kingston musicians, Choir! Choir! Choir! will lead an electrifying, fully interactive community singalong and performance that transforms audiences into participants. Led by co-founders Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman, the Toronto-based collective has been bringing strangers together through song since 2011.

Known for their engaging, inclusive approach, Choir! Choir! Choir! has toured internationally and collaborated with artists such as Patti Smith, David Byrne, Brandi Carlile, Rick Astley, Rufus Wainwright, and even Kermit the Frog at New York’s Lincoln Center. Their viral video performances have garnered millions of views, creating musical moments that resonate far beyond the stage.

“It’s going to be such a special day for the city celebrating a band that means so much to all of us. We’re really excited and honoured to get to sing one of our favourite songs from The Tragically Hip, we’ll do our best to do it justice!” says Ciara Roberts of Tiny Horse.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Choir! Choir! Choir! to Rockin’ the Square sponsored by Empire Life, for what could be the largest sing-along event in Kingston’s history, a truly one-of-a-kind night,” said Jayson Duggan, Performing Arts Manager with the City of Kingston. “There is an opportunity for something incredibly powerful and deeply moving to happen as our community comes together to sing The Tragically Hip, and Choir! Choir! Choir! creates that magic like no other artist. We can’t wait to celebrate and share this memorable experience with residents and visitors alike.”

Concertgoers can expect to sing along to some of The Tragically Hip’s greatest songs, guided by Choir! Choir! Choir! in a welcoming environment where all voices are encouraged, no musical experience necessary. They teach, you sing!

This community celebration is free to attend. Follow us on social media and check our event page for updates.

Support Forever Hip 

Local businesses and organizations are invited to support the Forever Hip presentations with a custom message that will appear on the screen in Springer Market Square. Advertisements will rotate throughout the hour leading up to each performance August 20, 21 and 22. Please reach out to mktg@cityofkingston.ca before August 4 for details.