New exhibition celebrates Kingston’s music history, from early roots to The Tragically Hip and today’s local scene

A new exhibition at the Market Wing Cultural Space invites visitors to experience Kingston’s music story, from the sounds and traditions that predate the city to the artists, venues, educators and community spaces still shaping its music scene today.  

Music From Miles Around, Sponsored by Empire Life opens June 20 inside Kingston City Hall and will be on display for one year. Admission is free.  

The exhibition explores Kingston’s rich and far-reaching music history through archival materials, artifacts, personal stories, immersive experiences, and interactive elements. Visitors will learn about the people and places that helped write Kingston’s music story, including Indigenous musical traditions, church choirs, military bands, early instrument makers, foundational institutions, radio stations, record shops, dance halls, live venues, local bands, educators, festivals, and today’s creative music community.  

As the City marks 10 years since The Tragically Hip’s final concert, on August 20, 2016, the exhibition also features never-before-seen artifacts, personal stories, and behind-the-scenes pieces connected to Kingston’s most iconic band. From their early years in Kingston to the final hometown concert that brought millions of Canadians together, The Tragically Hip are a powerful part of the exhibition’s story. But Music From Miles Around, Sponsored by Empire Life goes beyond one band, placing The Hip within the wider Kingston music scene that helped shape them.  

“Kingston’s music history is layered, generous, and deeply connected to place,” says Melissa Cruise, City Curator. “This exhibition celebrates the artists, teachers, venues, record shops, community spaces, and everyday music lovers who helped build that story over generations. The Tragically Hip are an important part of Kingston’s musical legacy, but they are also part of a much larger ecosystem. Music From Miles Around, Sponsored by Empire Life is about hearing the city differently and recognizing how much music has shaped who we are.”  

A key feature of the exhibition is Joe’s Jam Space, created in partnership with Joe's Music Mill. The interactive space invites visitors of all ages and skill levels to pick up an instrument and play, reflecting the exhibition’s broader focus on music as something shared, learned, borrowed, and passed on.  

Located inside Kingston City Hall, steps from Springer Market Square, the exhibition connects Kingston’s musical past to the heart of the city. The Market Wing Cultural Space provides a fitting setting for an exhibition rooted in collective memory, civic pride, and the creative energy that continues to carry Kingston’s sound far beyond its borders.  

Whether visitors grew up going to shows in Kingston, remember where they were during The Hip’s final concert, love digging through local music history, or are looking for a free cultural experience downtown, Music From Miles Around, Sponsored by Empire Life invites them to listen to the city in a whole new way.  

Exhibition Details  

Exhibition: Music From Miles Around, Sponsored by Empire Life  

Opening Date: June 20  

Run: On display for one year  

Admission: Free  

Location: Market Wing Cultural Space, Kingston City Hall  

Address: 216 Ontario St., Kingston, ON