Tragically Hip Docuseries 'No Dress Rehearsal' Will Premiere at TIFF

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 in September.

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.

"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.