A Canadian band whose lead singer had diagnosed with terminal brain cancer have performed at the end of an emotional farewell tour.The Tragically Hip drew a sell-out crowd to the show in Kingston, Ontario, on Saturday. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, who was present at the live show, said that the band had "been writing Canada's soundtrack for over 30 years".

Lead singer Gord Downie, 52 years old, announced his illness in May. The news caused shock across Canada.

Many newspapers reported that the 15-stop Man Machine Poem tour "left a trail of heartbreak but also celebration across the nation".

After the concert Mr Trudeau tweeted that the band would be "forever in our hearts and playlists".

He also tweeted a picture of himself writing on a wall of messages to what he dubbed "Canada's band".

They started as a college band working the local circuit and then took off, but their success across 14 albums were mostly confined to within Canada.

Known simply as The Hip to many Canadians, their songs became part of a national identity.

Kingston designated on Saturday as The Tragically Hip Day in honour of its local heroes.

The Kingston concert was broadcast on Canadian TV and was shown at hundreds of public screenings across the country in bars and outdoor venues.

Alan Cross, a radio show host and music historian said, "There is a Canadianness that runs through them to the point where new citizens should be given a Tragically Hip CD after they take the oath” .

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By Prakriti Neogi