NEWS RELEASE
SPORT NIAGARA
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On Friday, March 21, 2025, Paul Langlois (Tragically Hip) will take centre stage at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) in support of the Niagara 2025 Ontario Parasport Games being held May 30 - June 1, 2025 hosted by Sport Niagara. This special evening will also include an intimate and interactive artist interview conducted by Canada’s own Alan Cross.
When Paul Langlois (Tragically Hip) was asked to play the closing ceremonies of the Canada Summer Games in Niagara Falls in August of 2022, the last thing on his mind was making a new record. A few months later, however, Guess What, The Paul Langlois Band’s debut was in the can, and Langlois began a new and exciting phase of his musical journey.
The title track itself – which closes out the record – is an expression of his surprise that one gig could lead to the formation of a new band and a full record. “At the time, I’d been quietly making my way through my new life, chipping away at little musical ideas here and there, with no particular goals in mind,” Langlois explains, crediting the Niagara gig as the impetus to get him playing music again and, ultimately, rekindling his interest in songwriting.
Fans of Langlois and The Tragically Hip will be thrilled it did. Featuring Langlois on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, and the ample talents of bandmates Greg Ball on guitar and backing vocals, lead guitarist Joe Carscallen, Matt Mulvihill on bass, and drummer Billy Anglin, Guess What offers up the kind of thoughtful, straight-up rock and roll that’s timely, timeless, and a bit of a rarity these days.
“It’s where the spark happened; so, returning back to Niagara is a complete honour”, expresses Langlois, who ensures the audience that some Hip songs will be highlighted as well.
“Sport Niagara, as the Legacy Organization of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, is excited to welcome Ontario’s Para Athletes to compete in Niagara,” stated Dan Kennedy, Executive Director of Sport Niagara. Hosting this fundraiser concert will deeply assist with our endeavour of successfully delivering an exceptional Parasport Games this upcoming spring. "Our vision is to leave a lasting and sustained legacy for our disability sports community.”
Pre-sale tickets will be available for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, with public tickets sales starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 at FOPAC.
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